In World War II, America had a defined enemy. In World War II, America was on a war-footing and everyone rallied around the cause of freedom. In World War II, we had leaders who were up to the task.

Now, the conflict in Iraq has lasted longer than the second Great War. America has no plan for victory and its leaders are not up for the challenge. We need to bring our brave troops home today!

The Associated Press:

The war in Iraq has now lasted longer than the U.S. involvement in the war that President Bush’s father fought in, World War II.

As of Sunday, the conflict in Iraq has raged for three years and just over eight months.

Only the Vietnam War (eight years, five months), the Revolutionary War (six years, nine months), and the Civil War (four years), have engaged America longer.

Fighting in Afghanistan, which may or may not be a full-fledged war depending on who is keeping track, has gone on for five years, one month. It continues as the ousted Taliban resurges and the central government is challenged.

Bush says he still is undecided whether to start bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq or add to the 140,000 there now.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) wrote this letter to President Bush today on the lessons of history. Bush spoke about his legacy and about how history will remember his failed presidency with NBC’s Brian Williams the other day.

Mr. President:

Since you’ve taken it upon yourself to educate the American people on the “lessons of history,” perhaps you should spend the long holiday weekend with one of the many fine volumes about World War II and bone up yourself. (Or, since it’s a family weekend, you could ask your dad.)

Mr. President, when faced with the deadly threat of fascism, Franklin Roosevelt did not divide our country; he brought people together—Democrats and Republicans—behind the war effort. During the war, he created a bipartisan Cabinet and refrained from using the war as a partisan ramrod.

Under FDR’s brilliant wartime leadership, we were one country with a single purpose, steely resolve and deep faith in the ultimate outcome of that struggle.

FDR also understood that, faced with a mortal enemy, we could not go it alone, and he worked painstakingly to build respectful alliances with other nations. That was a key to victory.

So Mr. President, you are right when you saw the lessons of history are valuable. But the lessons of combating fascism are unity – not division, and alliances abroad – not isolation. And it is you who needs to learn them.

Sincerely,

Rep. Rahm Emanuel