[lehighguy]

The theory behind the unified front is that the insurgents can't defeat us militarily, so the only way they can defeat us is by making us want to leave.

When they see people on CNN saying we can't win and we should leave, this further enboldens them to committ more violence since they can see thier strategy is working.

If there was no public disagreement, if the insurgents knew there was no possibility of forcing enemy withdrawal through violence, then they would lose support.

That is the thinking behind it. The basic premise is that we will win the war as long as we don't give up. If you believe in this premise then it makes sense to want to stifle the opposing sides dialogue as it, not the insurgents, is the only thing that can make America lose the war. If you think victory is impossible then you have to speak up because it is the insurgents, not American politics, that will make us lose the war.