Democrats and the Military

As a progressive and a combat veteran of the war in Iraq, I disagree with David S. Broder's characterization of Democrats and the military in his May 21 op-ed, "Obama in Command." The old argument that Vietnam ruined the relationship between Democrats and the military has been overtaken by events.

In the 2008 election, President Obama won a majority of the votes of veterans under age 59. This should come as no surprise, because it is Iraq and Afghanistan -- not Vietnam -- that has shaped the views of this generation of veterans. Similarly, young Americans have been critical of the war in Iraq not because of an aversion to the military but because they believe President George W. Bush botched the fight against terrorism. Now a new survey by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and Democracy Corps shows that for the first time in decades, the Republican and Democratic parties are essentially tied on the issue of national security.

Mr. Obama is ending torture, engaging the international community and adopting new strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan because he represents a new generation of Democrats whose experience of war is shaped by new realities. I am proud to be part of this generation, and I'm proud to have Mr. Obama as commander in chief.

JONATHAN POWERS

Vice President

The Truman National Security Project

Washington