In a recent Gallup poll, a full 78% of those polled favor keeping the troops in Iraq for at least a year.  A strong plurality (45%) believe the troops should stay as long as it takes, with 7% of those desiring more troops to be sent.  If the GOP can hang the "give-up-and-go-home" mantle on Democrats across the board - much as the Dems want to tie all Republicans to the "culture of corruption" - then I believe they stand to gain substantial political advantage.

In this environment of Republican vulnerability, any advantage must be pursued and guarded.  The message that Democrats are weak on defense has propelled many a GOPer into office or staved off a Democratic challenger.  This year, with so much of the Democrats' efforts seemingly designed to fortify that impression, the GOP would be foolish not to make that charge a centerpiece in this year's campaigns once again.

I regret that Lieberman lost (though he may keep the seat running as an independent) because he represented reasonableness on the left.  His loss, in my opinion, is a sad testament to the present-day nature of the Demcratic party.  In the end, however, Ned Lamont's name on the ballot may give the GOP powerful ammunition to confront the predicted Democratic wave in November.