How do you know when you’ve lost?

How do you know when you’ve lost? When you’re dead or you’ve surrendered. Otherwise, you’re in the fight.

How do you know that you’re going to lose? When your death or surrender are certain.

If you’re not certain, and the stakes are worth it, you continue to fight.

If you don’t believe the stakes are worth it, then quit.

If those on your side don’t recognize who the enemy is, they’ll walk away or fritter away possibilities by turning on each other.

The Democrat leadership is certain that the United States, and those in Iraq who struggle to build, will fail. The Democrats don’t believe the stakes there and consequent are worth having either an open mind or perseverance.

There is no one knowledgeable who agrees with the Democrats. Regardless of whether a critic or supporter of U.S. strategy and tactics, all those knowledgeable recognize that the consequences of bugging out would be even worse than what’s there now. The Democrat leaders seek to cloak their irresponsibility in formulas for a small residual force -- that would be overwhelmed by the challenges -- or regional states’ cooperation -- by sworn adversaries and accommodators with little record of being or incentive to be constructive.

So, why does the Democrat leadership act this way?

There’s no doubt that most Americans are sick and tired of being involved in a mess, one that will go on for years more at least. They are not responding to anyone who argues for confidence, whether in the administration, McCain, Lieberman, experts, commentators. Most Americans won’t respond, as polls are wont to fluctuate, until they are shown more progress in Iraq. Meanwhile, the Democrat leadership is on its rant and determined that progress not occur not because they care about Iraq or national security but because they use dissatisfaction over Iraq to further their power over their favorite domestic program agenda.

It’s no longer a matter of facts. It’s a matter of sheer political power and sticktoitness now. Bush only has about a year to go. The prospects for a winning Republican presidential contender are strong for 2008. However, the prospects for a Republican takeback of Congress are weak, only possible if there’s major demonstrable progress in Iraq, even though the new Democrat majority in Congress will be seen to be overstepping with extreme programs and statements. Thus, only a Republican president can provide the time needed to continue the job in Iraq to a reasonable end, and avoid the most extreme of the Democrats’ domestic agenda.

It is, therefore, essential that Republicans do not commit fratricide during the coming presidential season, not only for national security reasons or domestic policy reasons but out of sheer character and patriotism. Otherwise, Republicans will be facilitators of losing, and share the responsibility for the consequences.

SEE “This Is Counterterrorism, Senator” for insight you may have missed elsewhere.