In the early 70s, as it became clear to everyone that the Vietnam War was unwinnable, people started searching for ways to shift US policy while saving face. Senator George Aiken (D-VT) suggested that we declare victory and go home:
The United States could well declare unilaterally ... that we have 'won' in the sense that our armed forces are in control of most of the field and no potential enemy is in a position to establish its authority over South Vietnam. [This] would herald the resumption of political warfare as the dominant theme in Vietnam.It may be a far-fetched proposal, but nothing else has worked.
It's difficult for any Administration to abandon its signature policy and change direction, especially when that policy is an abject failure. So today I offer this recommendation to the Obama Administration: Declare Victory and Change Direction.
