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In terms of the actual vote on troop reductions, this is really a political issue rather than a practical one. America will not dramatically remove all troops like a magician doing a vanishing act, nor will she commit to a Vietnam-style war. Rather it is the symbol of more or fewer troops in Iraq which is important in the political game.

Discussions as to whether more troops will stabilise or destabilise Iraq are irrelevant. The American presence in Iraq is highly inflammatory, and the only way that the conflict can be solved will be with perceived impartial' nations joining in the peace efforts. Equally however America cannot simply withdraw, and indeed that would not lead to peace either.

To fully stabilise the situation in Iraq is a problem which will not be solved in time for the 2008 Presidential elections. That is certain. What is important therefore is the appearance of solving the problem. As such the Democrats think that they will gain support for being seen as the party stopping the Iraq disaster. The Republicans believe they can argue that the Democrats are undermining or dishonouring the military and are unrealistic about solving the Iraq problem.

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