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by both parties, the transition period leading up to the Jan. 20 inauguration will be marred; we will hardly be in a position to support elections in Iraq. If we cannot run our own elections successfully, how can we offer ourselves as a model of democracy to the world? Finally, there is the discomfiting possibility of a “November surprise,” for example in the form of an attack on election day by al Qaeda “sleeper cells," which could seriously undermine our electoral process.
Now is the time, if ever there was one, to call on our political leaders to act as statesmen, to rise above partisanship and election year politics. Here’s a suggestion-a fantasy, really: Senator Kerry and President Bush should issue a simple joint statement now, pledging mutual support and cooperation— regardless of the outcome of our election— toward the goal of insuring - credible Iraq elections in January.
Were the candidates to issue such a pledge, regardless of whom we elect as president and despite all other disagreements and divisions, America will unite in a single-minded purpose. Nothing could be more potent in reassuring our allies and winning the international support we so obviously need. Nothing could serve as a
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