Something I just considered... none of the recent political polls could have possibly taken into account the opinions of the immense number of US voters who are currently living and working in Iraq. How many are there, including business-people and soldiers? A million? Half a million? Not an inconsiderable number, considering they're all likely to vote, and likely to vote for President Bush.
How will these Iraq veterans shape the future of American politics? Will they have as much influence over the next 30 years as the Vietnam vets have had over the last 30? Will presidential candidates in 2028 have to explain why they were or weren't in Iraq in 2004?
Holy crap! I've never thought of that!
If yes, I hope they're not as annoying, self-righteous and myopic as the Vietnam folks.
There are always lots of groups of people who are not represented in polls, the largest one being people who actually have a life and don't answer phone calls from anonymous strangers.
I doubt anyone will have to answer for not being in Iraq - at least if things stay like they are now. There's no draft right now. People who went over there enlisted voluntarily.
Don't assume that they'll all be pro-Bush, particularly when 20,000 of them just got extended. Some of them are hopping mad, and not without reason. Try sitting in church on Sunday with soldiers who have been gone for a year, come back, and find out they have to leave again in a few days. Likewise, try sitting with the wives of soldiers who have to postpone their Coming Home parties for another ninety days. Ideologically they may be for Bush, but some of 'em are utterly pissed off.
AC: People get pissed all the time, but, a) do you really think they'll vote for Kerry?, b) in a few years they won't be pissed about some deployment dates, they'll be proud of the results of their efforts (if they go well...).
Plus, I'm not just talking about military people. There are more American civilians over there than American military.