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http://www.gnn.tv/articles/3113/Democratic_Spin_Won_t_End_the_War_in_Iraq This link above takes you to an interesting anecdote from Anthony Lappe of Guerrilla News Network: "In early 2005, I attended a two-day conference organized by the labor union SEIU. The event gathered some of the nation’s leading young left-leaning activists, in particular those working in the media, with the goal of synergizing our efforts around core issues. Over the course of the weekend, the idea was to come up with five “top issues” we could all agree to focus on in the coming year. Wal-Mart was a big issue, as was the looming battle of the White House’s plan to privatize social security. To my dismay, Iraq was not one of them. I expressed my shock, pointing out that we were a nation at war and that as progressives it was not just a moral duty but a good tactical decision to oppose it. I noted the war was only going to worsen and American public opinion would turn on it and that we needed to get out in front of it. In addition, many soldiers and their families were turning away from Bush because of the war and that this represented a new opportunity for the left to connect with members of the armed services. While several participants thanked me for my comments in private, I was mostly met with blank stares. Between sessions, I found myself talking with a representative from MoveOn. I asked him why Iraq didn’t seem to be on the top of MoveOn’s list of issues at the time. His response sent a chill up my spine: 'Iraq is not a winner.' In contrast, he pointed out, Bush’s social security privatization program was unpopular and provided the left with a tangible opportunity for a much-needed political score. We need wins, he said, repeating a mantra I would hear throughout the weekend from several other participants."