Our model here is President John Adams, when the Congress was so ready to approve a declaration of war against France. However, Adams held out for negotiations, and ultimately, they were successful, although his peaceful stand may have cost him re-election, because word of the agreement reached the United States too late.

It was probably the bribe letter from France asking for $250000 that preceeded Adams trip to France, rather than the president's 'peaceful stance' that cost him the election. Americans were upset at the audacity of France threatening Americans to pay a bride to negotiate with them and Adams travelling to France.

Perhaps fear of their jobs is not enough of a motivator for politicians. Perhaps we should make them all enlist, such that they have a better sense of the stakes.