In the United States (and among leading allies) the steep cost and on-going nature of the Iraq War have caused considerable damage to top political leaders and political movements. Some have seen their professional reputations sullied, others have paid a price for tying their credibility to the Bush Administration's actions. Here is a partial list of the foreign policy "political casualties" from the Iraq War.
George Bush
Photo: Getty/Mark Wilson
President Bush was elected with less than half of the popular vote in 2000, but his approval rating soared above 80% following the attacks of September 11, 2001. He was narrowly re-elected in 2004, and by 2007 his approval rating had plummeted to 30%, one of the lowest numbers seen in presidential history. And while 62% of Americans disapprove of the way President Bush is handling his job as President, 69% disapprove of his handling of the Iraq War.
Colin Powell
Photo: U.S. State Department
Retired General Colin Powell emerged as a popular, bipartisan leader following the success of the first Gulf War. He served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security adviser before becoming President Bush's first secretary of state. In that role he had to sell the idea of invading Iraq to the world. At United Nations Security Council meeting on February 5, 2003, Powell presented evidence of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The WMD never materialized. Since the war, Powell has defended the removal of Hussein from power but also said he tried to talk President Bush out of the war.
Tony Blair
Photo: Getty Images/Scott Barbour
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was a staunch supporter of President Bush's Iraq War policy. But as British public opinion turned away from the war, Blair did not. As his support eroded in his own party, Blair stepped down from office on June 27, 2007.
Donald Rumsfeld
Former Secretary of Defense of Donald Rumsfeld had a distinguished public service career as a member of Congress, White House chief of staff, and as secretary of defense first in the 1970's before joining the Bush Administration. But the Iraq War took a toll on his public standing and he was ultimately seen as responsible for much of the post-invasion missteps in Iraq. He resigned in December of 2006.Control of Congress
Photo: White House/Bohrer
President Bush's Republican party had controlled the U.S. House of Representatives since 1994 and the U.S. Senate since 2002. But the American people gave control of both chambers to the Democrats in the November 2006 elections. Pundits and observers said frustrations over the Iraq War were largely responsible for the change of heart among voters.
