The New York Times editorial today on The Politics of War makes some good points:

"Before risking the lives of American troops, Democrats and Republicans should closely examine Iraq options and make a decision on the merits rather than on the advice of their campaign strategists."

"The draft resolution proposed by Mr. Bush yesterday would give him virtually a free hand in attacking Iraq and trying to oust Mr. Hussein. The use of force may prove necessary, but there first needs to be a serious effort to give Baghdad one last chance to comply voluntarily with the U.N.'s disarmament demands. Working with the fractious Security Council can be maddening, but the effort must be made before Washington turns to the possibility of acting on its own. Democrats owe Mr. Bush careful deliberation about the possibility of war. They do the nation, and Mr. Bush, no service by charging ahead in lock step with the White House."