Officials respond to assertions about a draft.

Since the end of the debates, where the candidates were given the chance to lay out their rebuttals to the potential of a draft, each candidate continues to appeal to young voters with the strident message that he is the candidate of no draft. All along the campaign trail, Senator Kerry has been asserting that the policies of a second Bush administration could lead to a draft, while President Bush’s speeches often include a vehement denial of the charge. Bush recently took it to the next step with the assurance that even dealing with a national crisis involving Iran or North Korea would not include a draft.

Similarly, in response to the article reporting updated contingency plans for a medical draft, the Pentagon last week firmly asserted that there will be no need for such a draft even in the event of a national emergency. Pointing to the capabilities of their own medical system and associated private health care networks to step in if needed, officials assured a medical draft would not be used to supplement volunteer medical military staff.

Most notably, today the Seattle Times published an op-ed by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld refuting the possibility of a draft. The bulk of his article focuses on disputing the existence of a “secret plan” to reinstate the draft. That’s comforting and all, but not at all the point. While the so-called “base” of each party is beyond satisfied with the stance of their guy (and his wingmen), it’s not exaggerated rumors that are leaving young voters still confused and frustrated. Instead, it’s the purported “dialogue” on the subject that actually consists of unproven promises that has voters feeling like they’re not being told the full truth. Neither candidate, for example, has fully proposed a viable plan to combat falling recruitment numbers in the National Guard without a draft. Similarly, neither candidate has broached how he would prioritize avoiding a draft and the effective stabilization of Iraq or another nation, if the choice came to that. So, while Mr. Rumsfeld’s effort to quell concerns is well-intended, it still doesn’t answer the most essential questions. It’s embarrassing that the closest thing to a real dissection of the issues has only occurred between military veteran surrogates for each candidate.

Bottom line? Don’t worry guys. The politicians promise: No New Draft.

- Anna Deknatel