If this had been Clinton’s war, or a war led by any Democrat, things would be a lot different.
But since it was started and led by a Republican administration, there is no substitute for defeat in the minds of the MSM.
They can’t, absolutely CAN NOT, allow a victory to occur because that might jeopardize the chances for a Democrat victory in 2008. They would rather see 9/11 times 10 happen than to accept that. (As long as they, personally, are not killed.)
As it is impossible to know what drives men, we don’t know what a Presidernt Gore would have done. Probably some limited action in Afghanistan. To send a message, you know. Probably would be at the table with the Taliban right now.