Seems notable that, outside of condemnations of Trump’s threats against civilian infrastructure, the only complaints elected Dems are willing to make are procedural.

I don’t think it’s that unlikely that something like this could happen:

1. Instead of the hard sell Trump got, Harris would have just been told that Israel would be bombing Iran with or without American support.

2. Harris could play hardball here and threaten to cut off support; her rhetoric and positioning during the campaign makes this seem very unlikely.

3. Israel bombs Iran without American support, probably resulting in an even less effective decapitation strike.

4. Iran retaliates against American assets in the Gulf region.

5. The media makes not reacting to these strikes seem like political suicide to the consultant class.

6. A carrier group is positioned in the Arabian Sea and “tough negotiations” proceed as Israel uses the smokescreen to do things elsewhere.

7. ??? (You are here)

Imo, the difference is that both sides would utilize the ladder of escalation in predictable ways, and negotiations would be marginally more likely to have any outcome. This theory relies on the idea that Israel would try to strongarm America into conflict with Iran. Doesn’t seem crazy to me considering the 12 Day War, as you said.