Assuming a Dem Candidate wins the WH...

[DustMolecule]

What would be the likelihood THEN of the draft being reinstated? Would it make any difference if that candidate were Kerry, Edwards, or Kucinich?

[EXE619K]

1. I think it will depend on the situation in the region at that time....

1. Level of instability in the region.
2. How effective the president is at garnering support from Arab nations and their willingness to commit troops in the region.
3. Troop rotation status and re-enlistment figures. Becuase year-long deployments, living in Tent-City, can only lead to attrition among the ranks.

Hard to say at this point.

[FloridaPat]

2. When the Dems get back it, if they don't shut up those idiot repubs

with jail terms and investigations and just plain outshouting them, they are going to have a very tough time. Either way, they will have a mess on their hands. The deficit - it's not going away any time soon. Iraq - a mess. The only good plan is Kuchinich's. But most of the Dems are probably for getting our hands on all that oil. The money for all these wars would have gone a long way toward getting alternative energy. But that stuff is free to cheap. Can't buy politicans with that. The Democrats have limped along for 20 years. The repubs are radicals and mean and have plans on how to take over. The Democrats have a LONG way to go to even catch up. You can bet when the Dems get back in it will be like when Clinton was any - looking for anything to accuse the president of anything.

[redqueen]

3. Seriously?

If Kerry or Edwards is elected, I do think we'll see a draft.

If Kucinich were to be elected, I do not think we'd see a draft.

4. varies

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Kerry starts a draft. He has spoken in favor of general national service already. That's a draft, if not a military one.

Edwards, I don't know his position.

Kucinich probably wouldn't.

Just my opinion.

[RichM]

5. With Kucinich, no draft. Otherwise, enjoy the draft & a long occupation.

(Note: "long" = permanent)

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Zero chance

The Pentagon doesn't want it, and this is one of those thing that would actually piss off a vast majority of voters.

7. I'm afraid that this contradicts you

this is straight from the blog and for me is a slippery slope to a draft.
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/natservice/
"As President, John Kerry will have the courage to lead and call on all Americans to make our nation stronger. Whether it is protecting America from the threats of terrorism or addressing the problems we have at home, America's new challenges will not be met by the same old answers of big government or big tax cuts for the wealthy. John Kerry will call on all Americans - tapping into the idealism and ingenuity of Americans and putting it to work on building a safer, stronger, and more secure nation. Americans already make an enormous difference in their communities, volunteering, in Boys and Girls Clubs or homeless shelters. Many Americans do full time service. John Kerry believes that in these times, we need to bolster these efforts with a nationwide commitment to national service. Whether it is a Summer of Service for our teenagers, helping young people serve their country in return for college, or the Older Americans in Service program, John Kerry's plan will call on every American of every age and every background to serve. John Kerry will set a goal of one million Americans a year in national service within the next decade."

Actually, despite the fact that I was a conscientious objector, I am not against national nonmilitary service. I just happen to have the belief that in these times & in this country, a draft would come along with it as well.

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. There is nothing in there that says anything about compulsory

military service. If fact, it says nothing about military service at all. Sounds more like an AmeriCorps-like program.

10. I'm not saying that Kerry "intends" to start a draft

Maybe I wasn't clear on that.
I'm saying that national service will bring or has a high likelihood of bringing with it a draft.(enough qualifiers there?? I'm covering my bets)
in the horse-trading. Once the idea of national service gains credibility, and possibly as part of giving it credibility, I fear that a draft will come with it.

Regarding compulsory-- this statement is pretty close to arguing for compulsory service.
"John Kerry's plan will call on every American of every age and every background to serve."

Depends how you interpret "call on every American." Perhaps Kerry means it as just asking us to volunteer, but there is something semi-slippery in the language.

11. this sounds compulsory

and is further down the page on the same blog. & yes, I know it is not about a military draft here.

"On September 11th, 2001, America experienced the most terrible and deadly attack in its history. John Kerry believes we need to think big and do better and get more young Americans serving the nation.

As part of his 100 day plan to change America, John Kerry will propose a comprehensive service plan that includes requiring mandatory service for high school students and four years of college tuition in exchange for two years of national service.


High School Service Requirement
As President, John Kerry will ensure that every high school student in America performs community service as a requirement for graduation. This service will be a rite of passage for our nation’s youth and will help foster a lifetime of service. States would design service programs that meet their community and educational needs. However, John Kerry does not believe in unfunded mandates. No state would be obligated to implement a service requirement if the federal government does not live up to its obligation to fund the program."

[BL_Zebub]

9. Kerry is 666% behind the PNAC agenda (disguised as "PPI")

There can be no further implentation of the PNAC agenda without a draft, since the military is spread far too thin already on the first 2 PNAC invasions.