Tuesday, September 9, 2008

W. Bush and Iraq: Speaking of Wagging the Dog

From Craig Crawford (who btw is probably the biggest curmudgeon of them all, he really does not care for Obama)

"If Gen. David Petraeus is as smart as George W. Bush and John McCain say he is, why did the president overrule his top commander in Iraq? Today, Bush announced the withdrawal of 8,000 troops even though Petraeus argued to keep levels about the same until at least next June.
This is yet another opportunity to paraphrase the policeman in Casablanca who feigned surprise that gambling was going on in his jurisdiction. Politics? I'm shocked that politics might be at work in Bush's announcement.
What a curious time for Bush to finally side with those in his military circle who advised a troop reduction. Until now the president not only ignored such advice -- he got rid of those who said it too loudly.
The political value of this move is obvous. Even a modest reduction such as this helps McCain argue that we are winning in Iraq -- a theme repeated almost hourly at the Republican convention last week.
The real test of the political nature of Bush's announcement will be what he does with troop levels after Election Day."

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