The ‘Incompetence Dodge’ revisited

Two quick points on what I have always thought was a good observation, first made by Yglesias and Rosenfeld nearly a year ago now. First, the point that initial supporters of the war are more likely to place blame for the current predicament on the war’s conduct rather than on a revision of the first principle, is more true now than ever. This of course, applies to the war’s supporters in both parties. On the Democratic side, this has always been the means for recalcitrant hawks, such as Hillary, to appease an element of the base while not having to take back their vote. With primaries approaching, however, we are beginning to see the same from more and more moderate Republicans, with McCain notably tacking this way this week. Second, Yglesias applies the same argu...