According to Walter Russell Mead in the Opinion Journal:

Historically, the Democrats have been America’s war party. Bob Dole got into trouble during his 1976 vice presidential campaign when he denounced World War I and World War II, along with Vietnam and Korea, as “Democrat Wars,” but most of America’s foreign wars began with Democrats in the White House: add the Mexican War, the Cold War and the War of 1812 to the Democrats’ count. Republicans, even including the Federalist and Whig predecessors to the GOP, could only claim the Spanish American War and the Gulf War before the War on Terror and George W. Bush.

“Vote for a Republican,” people used to say, “and you get a Depression. Vote for a Democrat, and you get a war.”

I never heard anyone say that. How can you check things like that to see if they are true?

Walt has an interesting way of expressing himself.

In fact, the mainstream Democratic candidates are mostly noticeable for the very small differences between their proposals and the foreign policies of the Bush administration. Looked at carefully, it is more style than substance: They would be nicer to the U.N. and to the Europeans than President Bush was, in the hope that this would bring more support for U.S. foreign policy.

But what if, in office, they kiss the frog and it doesn’t turn into a prince? What if Jacques Chirac, for example, continues to oppose American foreign policy even if President Kerry or President Edwards tries to be nicer to him?

Interesting imagery there. “Kiss the frog…Chirac, for example.” I think I’ll pass on that. Besides, I’m too busy ripping my CDs.