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WASHINGTON — Frequent tours for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have stressed the all-volunteer force and made it worth considering a return to a military draft, President Bush's new war adviser said Friday.
"I think it makes sense to certainly consider it," Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said in an interview with National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
"And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately, this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation's security by one means or another," Lute added in his first interview since he was confirmed by the Senate in June.
-- The Huffington Post
This report also makes it clear that President Bush remains adamant against the draft, and that General Lute understands this.
How would Americans react to a new draft after so many years without one?
Is it possible to remain on this kind of war footing without one, especially when Iran and Pakistans are seen as potential new targets on top of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Or would the political pressures of a draft be so fierce that it would ultimately hasten a retreat into isolationism?
Considering Bush's unpopularity, he may be the only one who could pull it off, or at least get a draft started and going. If he indeed refrains from the draft, I cannot imagine the next Administration, whether Democratic or Republican, taking that political risk.
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WASHINGTON — Frequent tours for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have stressed the all-volunteer force and made it worth considering a return to a military draft, President Bush's new war adviser said Friday.
"I think it makes sense to certainly consider it," Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said in an interview with National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
"And I can tell you, this has always been an option on the table. But ultimately, this is a policy matter between meeting the demands for the nation's security by one means or another," Lute added in his first interview since he was confirmed by the Senate in June.
-- The Huffington Post
This report also makes it clear that President Bush remains adamant against the draft, and that General Lute understands this.
How would Americans react to a new draft after so many years without one?
Is it possible to remain on this kind of war footing without one, especially when Iran and Pakistans are seen as potential new targets on top of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Or would the political pressures of a draft be so fierce that it would ultimately hasten a retreat into isolationism?
Considering Bush's unpopularity, he may be the only one who could pull it off, or at least get a draft started and going. If he indeed refrains from the draft, I cannot imagine the next Administration, whether Democratic or Republican, taking that political risk.
