A recent Zogby poll has been getting a fair amount of press because 72% of soldiers say they want to come home.  That is understandable, and not all that newsworthy.  What is stunning to me is why the soldiers think they are Iraq.  

Last year when Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA), a twice decorated Vietnam War veteran, suggested that we begin to remove the troops from Iraq because the mission had soured, the Bush administration reacted in an interesting way. Instead of listening to the long time military man, an expert in military planning, they and their noise machine minions smeared the Congressman by questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the two Purple Hearts he received for acts of valor in Vietnam.

This was the continuation of an extended media campaign that began with the the dismissal of Cindy Sheehan's anti-war protests. Essentially they dragged out the old war-horse, "We don't cut and run," meme and implied that to set a deadline for withdrawal would be somehow treasonous. Cindy Sheehan and Jack Murtha were uttered in the same breath as their anti-american strawman, Michael Moore.

Well, it seems the Bush Administration is going to have to include the entire US army serving in Iraq on their list of anti-american traitors. This, from Nicholas Kristof.

A new poll to be released today shows that U.S. soldiers overwhelmingly want out of Iraq -- and soon.

The poll is the first of U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq, according to John Zogby, the pollster. Conducted by Zogby International and LeMoyne College, it asked 944 service members, "How long should U.S. troops stay in Iraq?"

Only 23 percent backed Mr. Bush's position that they should stay as long as necessary. In contrast, 72 percent said that U.S. troops should be pulled out within one year. Of those, 29 percent said they should withdraw "immediately."

Perhaps we can ship them to Gitmo and purchase the United Arab Emirates' army as a replacement.

Would I vote for Vinick or Santos? On which issues do I agree more with Santos, more with Vinick? Who would be more likely to stop to help if I had a flat tire? Who would I rather have to dinner? Who would I rather leave my child with? Would I vote for Alan Alda for any federal office? Would I vote for Jimmy Smits for any federal office?

I'd vote for Jimmy Smits in a heartbeat. I've had a major crush on him forever, and it went through the roof and never came down when he kissed me on the cheek during a Dukakis event in 1988. Jimmy Smits for whatever he wants to run for.

Zogby will poll me again after next Sunday's live Vinick-Santos debate. I'll report back if you're interested.