Here's a hypothetical:   George W. Bush invades Iraq, makes a mess. "Insurgents" keep blowing up car bombs and shooting at Americans and the Iraqis who cooperate with them. In November 2004, John Kerry wins the election, and on January 20th, 2005, he assumes office. On January 25th, "insurgents" blow up a car bomb in front of a Baghdad hotel, killing a whole bunch of American troops, diplomats, and members of the press. Since Kerry is now Commander-in-Chief of the military and this happens on his watch, does that make him ultimately responsible?

It strikes me that if something bad happens while you're trying to clean up someone else's mess, it's pretty hard to say that you are responsible.

Don Firth