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The McNamara analogy is generally appropriate. Let me note one difference, however, that I think is significant. There is considerable evidence that McNamara did in fact realize before leaving his office the catastrophe that Vietnam had become, and began advocating for an end to the bombing, and winding down the war. He did so in muted ways that he felt comported with his misguided notions of loyalty to Johnson, but Johnson nonetheless recognized that McNamara no longer supported his policies and canned McNamara in early '68. The video of McNamara at his resignation press conference, where Johnson bestowed upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, reveals a man on the edge of a breakdown.
There is no indication that the Kagans, Kristols, O'Hanlons et al have any appreciation of the consequences of their actions. It appears McNarama, by 1967, was becoming overwhelmed by his appreciation of the consequences of his policies. He was horrifically wrong in his Vietnam policies, but I believe he had a soul. We will not see these Iraq war apologists shedding tears, as McNamara did. Never.
