Is it Time to Rally Around the Troops?

CNN, NBC, Time, Newsweek and a host of other newspapers and television news broadcasts are telling the American people that the surge is working in Iraq and that deaths of Americans and Iraqi's are falling dramatically. Much of the violence has been quelled. The insurgency and Al-Qaeda are damaged severely and peace is beginning to be a realistic hope for Iraq.

Economic and social activity in Baghdad is returning to a more normal pace quickly and now it would seem to be the time to consolidate success and demonstrate to the world that America is strong and that the ideals of democracy can be realized by those that are oppressed. The French and Germans have joined the Brits and America seems to be enjoying a resurgence of a more welcoming European attitude toward us.

So what is happening on the home front? Congress is adjourned for the Thanksgiving recess amid continued bitter and divisive political conflict over funding for the Iraq War and many of our leaders are promising to pull the rug of optimism for success out from under the troops that have sacrificed so much.

What if Clinton, Obama, Giuliani, Romney or any other well known contender for the Presidency stepped forward and declared that America is going to move forward aggressively to deliver on the promise to the Iraqi's that proudly sported "purple fingers" and visibly demonstrated that they wanted to be part of a democratic nation? What if, in the face of criticism, one of them stepped forward in an attempt to unite America as well as Iraq? What if one of them asked the world to join us in this endeavor? What if a political, diplomatic and economic surge was undertaken?

Our soldiers have given their all and delivered the promise of victory in Iraq and the United States Congress seems to be debating whether or not to accept it. They seem to be acting like the same politicians in Baghdad that are having difficulty with the compromises that are essential for ultimate success.

Almost 4,000 American lives have been lost and billions of dollars have been spent to achieve the success that is now being realized. Will America throw away the lives of our brave fellow citizens and announce they died in vain? Will we abandon all the treasure that has been dedicated to this endeavor?

One could argue that America is their own worst enemy. It seems like a giant public rally and a solid political front in support of our troops would demoralize the enemy and deliver the final blow essential for success. Is there a political leader brave enough to step forward now?

Instead Congress is opening the window of defeat by creating more political conflict that can only serve to provide hope to those that oppose democratic governance in Iraq and wish for America's demise in the world.

My prayer this Thanksgiving will be for a real American leader to emerge from the pack of Presidential candidates. To me, all seem decidedly mediocre with most more interested in preserving or gaining individual power than of delivering great leadership to a great nation. God bless America.