Rep. John Murtha called for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq Thursday, sparking much controversy in Congress. In response, Republicans pushed for a vote on a nonbinding resolution to pull out the troops Friday, according to The Associated Press. The resolution was easily rejected 403-3, but the move does show the Democrats trying to capitalize on the president’s low approval ratings.

It’s completely ridiculous to believe we could attack Iraq – preemptively or otherwise – and still have all of our troops out so quickly. What some Democrats are suggesting is completely irrational.

Whether we like it or not, we’re still in a war here, and the Iraq insurgency is still a threat. The 2,000th American deaths that took place recently should be a strong reminder of this.

If these Democrats need proof that the process of democracy is not a quick one, they can look to our own history. George Washington, the first president of the United States, wasn’t sworn in as president until 1789, almost 13 years after our nation’s declaration of independence.

This process may take even longer in Iraq, a country that is just beginning to adjust to a life sans its former oppressive dictator, Saddam Hussein.

Opponents like Murtha, who told the AP Iraq must take control of its own destiny, don’t understand what they’re suggesting. Whether or not the U.S. should have entered Iraq can still be debated, but the fact remains we did enter and we did overthrow their government. How would we look to the world if we went into Iraq, removed their leadership and left them high and dry? Are we supposed to wave and smile saying, “Well, good luck with all that,” as we pack up our tanks and planes?

We must stay until the Iraqi people have a safe and stable government to watch out for them. It is completely irresponsible to suggest we just leave them to fend for themselves after it was our decision to wage a war against them in the first place.

Though this editorial board hates to admit it, we full-heartedly agree with the president when he says we must “stay the course.”

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.