The Nov. 7 election gave solid proof that the nation is in a bad mood about the war in Iraq. Don't look for the nation to be in a more embracing mind-set about possible resumption of the military draft.

Barring a substantially worse act of terrorism than what occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, or an act of war against America by a formidable enemy, it is clear that Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., will be wasting his time when he makes another attempt early next year to reinstitute the draft.

Nevertheless, the nation will be watching closely once the proposal is introduced.

Considering the successes of the all-volunteer military, in the eyes of most members of Congress, a vote in favor of reviving the draft would be tantamount to writing themselves a ticket out of Washington.

Only a genuine national emergency would bring major public support for the plan.

Still, Rangel, a Korean War veteran, has remained committed to the idea. In 2003, he proposed a measure covering people 18 to 26 years old — it was defeated 402-2 — and this year he offered a proposal to mandate military service for men and women between 18 and 42.

This year's idea also went nowhere.

The details of next year's proposal are unknown; what's clear at this point is that it won't be well-received.

However, a comment by Rangel while announcing his new plan merits reflection by the American public.

In promoting his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars, he said, "There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way."

He added:

"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft. I think to do so is hypocritical."

Rangel has indeed given the nation something to think about now and in the coming months. But it's doubtful that the proposal will go much farther than the "thinking about" stage.

With the majority of Americans so negative about the course of the Iraq mission, making resources available that would allow for greatly expanding that mission seems out of the question.

Rangel, the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, should direct his attention to other more-pressing issues.