The Iraq Effect
The war in Iraq is shaping up to be the main issue in the US mid-term elections. Even in conservative states like Virginia, the Iraq backlash may enable Democrats to regain control of Congress.
George Allen, Republican Senator of Virginia, has always been proud to support the war in Iraq. Yet, even in "military heavy, largely culturally conservative state" states like Virginia, this hasn't helped his campaign for re-election. "Public opinion right now is against the Bush presidency and the war in Iraq", argues Professor Mark Rozell. Allen's Democrat opponent, Jim Webb, spoke out against the war before the invasion. As he is a Vietnam veteran and has a son in Iraq, he cannot be accused of being unpatriotic. If Bush were to lose Virginia it could turn him into the "ultimate lame duck President". The stakes couldn't be higher.
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