There are many issues that will play an important role in the upcoming Presidential election. The state of the economy, the "outsourcing" of American jobs to foreign nations, the creation of new jobs here in the United States, and the threat of terrorism are all important concerns to the American people. However, many say that the issue that will play the greatest role in deciding the American Presidential election of 2004 is the continuing conflict in Iraq.
             In the news each day there are stories of the conflict in Iraq. Although the war was declared over a year ago, more American soldiers have been killed after Bush declared the war over, then during the active combat phase. President Bush alluded to military intelligence that pointed to weapons of mass destruction being manufactured and stock- piled in Iraq. The President tried to convince the American public that invading Iraq would help keep America safe from an immediate threat from Saddam Hussein as well as aid the U.S. and the world in the war against terrorism.
             Right from the beginning there was opposition to the war by many of America's allies. France, Germany, and Russia made it clear from the beginning that they would not participate in this endeavor. Although Tony Blair, Prime Minister of England, allied his country with the U.S., almost three quarters of the people of Britain did not support military action against Iraq. Donald Rumsfield, Secretary of Defense, informed the allies not aligned with the United States, that "we" had little interest in their opinions and their willingness to assist in this war. He made it clear that the United States would go into Iraq alone if necessary, with the implication that the allies would be dragged along. The assumption by the U.S. political regime in power was that these nations would be forced to join in because of their historical deference to the United States.
             Initially, the Iraqi people saw the U...