As the United States continues to wage war in Iraq, pundits and political figures are left wondering what effect the war will have on the American political environment.
Representatives of both the Republican and Democratic Parties say war should not be used for political gain, yet both sides accuse the other of having done just this in recent months.
Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said he thought it was important to disassociate politics from the war.
"The war, whether you are for it or against, should not be about politics," Woodhouse said.
Carl Forti, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, agreed.
"At this point I think both Democrats and Republicans are rallying behind the President," Forti said.
Both Republicans and Democrats, however, say the other side has exploited concerns about security and war for political gain.
Democrats cried foul last fall when Republicans ran ads in a Senate election in Georgia that used images of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden in arguing their candidate cared more about homeland security.
Similarly, remarks by Democratic Senate Leader Tom Daschle that Bush had "failed so miserably at diplomacy" two days before the war in Iraq began ruffled the feathers of many Republicans.
Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato said after the first Gulf War few politicians used the war in political commercials and appeals for support.
Nevertheless, Sabato predicted the war would, at least to some extent, be a political issue in coming months.
"I would be surprised if it weren't used politically," Sabato said.
As of now, the war seems to offer more political advantages for Republicans, given that approval for the war and for President George W. Bush have jumped since the conflict began, according to polls released over the last few days.
For example, a CNN/USA TODAY/GALLUP poll conducted March 22 and 23 showed Bush enjoying the approval of 71 percent of American adults, up from 58 percent a week earlier. The same poll showed support for the war at 72 percent, which also represented an increase over earlier polls.
Sabato said polls were following trends from previous conflicts.
"This is the classic rally-round-the-flag effect that occurs in war time," Sabato said. "What they are really saying is we support the troops."
Sabato said the increase in support for Bush is not likely to last much after the war even if it ends well for the United States.
"These things tend to disappear fairly quickly" after the conflict ends, Sabato said.
He added that he thinks the American public is willing to tolerate some setbacks in the war, but not to the same extent as in the pre-Vietnam War era.
"I don't think it would take more than a few months of reversals" to turn public opinion against the war, Sabato said.
Besides potentially affecting partisan conflict between Republicans and Democrats, the war could potentially influence internal Democratic Party politics.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's standing in New Hampshire Democratic Presidential primary polls has risen in recent weeks as a result of his anti-war views.
An American Research Group Poll conducted March 16 through 19 had Dean within one percent of Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and ahead of better known candidates such as House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt and Sen. Joe Lieberman.
"The people who participate in Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire primary are heavily anti-war," Sabato said.
He added, however, that the elections are a long way off.
"It's way too early to know" how the war will affect the political environment, Sabato said.
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