There have been five elections fought and lost by anti-war candidates. This year marks the sixth attempt.

James Madison was embroiled in the war of 1812 and the Federalists sought to exploit the anti-war sentiment to recapture their political power. Madison defeated New York Mayor Dewitt Clinton by a sound electoral margin--128-89.

Abraham Lincoln considered that he had no chance of winning reelection in view of the phalanx of media opinion that he was doomed. He was pleasantly surprised that he soundly thrashed arrogant military pretender and champion of the anti-war Democrats, John Kerry George McClellan 212 to 21 electoral votes.

William McKinley faced a reelection challenge from William Jennings Bryan who campaigned against American imperialism, highlighted the insurgency in the Phillipines and pointed out that in spite of good news in the Phillipines, there had been no reductions in force there. Bryan was stomped 292-155

George McGovern was the darling of the anti-war left and campaigned on ending the "unpopular" Vietnam war. Nixon flattened McGovern 520-17 (It would have been 521, but a Virginia delegate changed his pledge from Nixon to the Libertarian candidate...)

John Kerry, alleged war hero turned anti-war crusader and then idle Senator, challenged George W. Bush's reelection with strong support from anti-war crusaders. Even at this point, it is hard to say what issues Kerry was campaigning on since his positions were so nuanced they were often confused with being contradictory. Bush won 286-251

Its notable that the media sided with the loser in every case.

The year is notable in that the nation is at war, but no sitting president is seeking reelection. On the other hand, its very clear which candidates respectively support victory or surrender.

Do you still think its a Democrat year?