Both U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and her GOP challenger Mike McGavick are engaging in some fancy footwork lately on Iraq, to woo suburban Seattle and other swing voters. The Seattle Times today urges both to reveal more about whether our decision to invade Iraq was right, and what lessons they've learned. But what to actually do now in Iraq is paramount. Charles Krauthamer notes a hasty retreat is stupid, and inimical to Democrats. Conservative Rich Lowry says boost troop strength to secure chaotic Baghdad, as a crucial next step. He adds Bush's oft-stated resolve to win isn't nearly enough; policy is drifting badly; and Vietnam parallels ARE becoming apparent.

In the Weekly Standard, former Wall Street Journal editorial board member and current L.A. Times columnist Max Boot ultimately favors increased troops deployed to Baghdad, as well. But, he says U.S. forces have too often proved incapable of winning Iraqi hearts and minds and that a troop drawdown sooner rather than later is another option - with our personnel serving more in an advisory role to the Iraqi military. Top military brass see big cultural and tactical changes needed in U.S. troop training for guerilla conflicts such as Iraq.

I think Boot outlines the choices well for right now, IF we leave aside Iran's key role in Iraq and Lebanon. Perhaps what is most needed now are more U.S. troops in Baghdad, and when Hezbollah aggression soon resumes, Israel's destruction of Iran's nuclear capabilities.

UPDATE, 8/17/06: Here's an extended Q&A on Iraq with Cantwell and McGavick, from today's Seattle Times.

TECHNORATI TAGS: IRAQ, U.S. TROOP STRENGTH, STRATEGY, MARIA CANTWELL, MIKE MCGAVICK, GEORGE W. BUSH, RICH LOWRY, CHARLES KRAUTHAMER, DEMOCRATS, MAX BOOT, IRAN, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, ISRAEL, LEBANON, HEZBOLLAH