Invariably , with the successful US military operation to take out Al-Zarqawi, many leftists have took it upon themselves to dismiss the operations as having no real significance, some calling the action little more than a stunt….

Representative Dennis Kucinich, noted that Zarqawi played only a minimal role in the Iraqi insurgency. For the Democrats, such a strategy is perfectly within reason, given their long held strategy of playing down or outright dismissing any news or information viewed as favorable to the president. It is therefore necessary to relegate the role of Al-Zarqawi to that of meaningless stooge, figure-head or underling.

In reality Zarqawi played a crucial role in the development and coordination of the Iraqi insurgency, and is responsible for the deaths of thousands or Iraqis and Americans alike. Does the death of this terror leader mean an end to the fight? No, after all this isn’t the ancient Inca Empire where capturing the leader insured the capitulation of the entire nation. This is Iraq were cellular based terrorists flourish, nonetheless, the death of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi is indeed a victory for US and coalition forces in Iraq. Officially, most Democratic leaders embraced the news, but if the comments of Kucinich and others begin to gain traction look for it to creep into the party lexicon.

Kucinich and other leftist critics are right about one thing…the US should accelerate its efforts to leave Iraq. The President simply is not moving fast enough in ensuring that Iraqi forces can once again assume control over their country. The formation of a permanent government is a crucial first step, but greater steps must be taken, to ensure American forces don’t remain in Iraq like they have in Europe long after the Cold War.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060608-041042-9038r.htm