The Draft

Rock the Vote, a non-partisan organization dedicated to turning out the youth vote, is playing the draft card as part of their efforts. Ed Gillespie, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, is threatening legal action against the group unless they stop. His case is that, because the administration has said there will be no draft, there will be no draft and the case is now closed.

The Republicans are way out of line here. Personally, I don't think that we will see a regular draft during a second Bush term, though we might see a skills draft. This, however, is shaped by political reality and not by some notion that George Bush always tells the truth and not automatically believing him shows a "reckless disregard for the truth." Furthermore, political reality could change. Another serious terrorist attack could lead to a reinstatement of the draft, perhaps even with bipartisan support. This is simply the reality given the current situation in Iraq.

As a group trying to get out the youth vote - and their event here in Madison yesterday was either non-partisan or multi-partisan depending on how you look at it - Rock the Vote would be foolish not to call attention to this issue, which is something young people worried about long before President Bush came to office. When I was student teaching during the Kosovo War, some high school seniors worried that it might lead to a draft. What was paranoia then is today actually possible, regardless of whether Bush or Kerry is elected next month, and those who might be drafted would do well to consider it.

UPDATE: RegenerationMan lays out the evidence many believes indicates a draft is likely. It is far from conclusive, certainly, but does constitute enough to make it a legitimate issue.