That there is a ‘grave and deteriorating’ situation in Iraq is the echo of gray men, reporting to a president who wouldn’t listen to the military, wouldn’t listen to media reports, and especially wouldn’t listen to American politicians and people outside of his party, while hushing the voices within.
Why can we expect him to listen to this fresh echo? If he truly were to turn over a new leaf, he’d begin by asking Cheney to resign from the Vice Presidency. What better way to put all partoies on notice that he’s willing to rattle cages and break conventions to find a workable resolution to the rotted porkchop dangling from his own neck?
Instead, I expect we’ll get more of the same:
“Miracles cannot be expected,” the review said, “but the people of Iraq have the right to expect action and progress.”As word of the likely recommendations leaked out in recent days, Mr. Bush moved to distance himself from the panel on some points, while emphasizing that his administration is already pursuing others, like handing responsibility for security to the Iraqi army next summer. The president has also requested a review of policy options from the Pentagon, and has made clear that he will regard the Study Group’s report as one input among many.
In particular, Mr. Bush has been adamant that he will not agree to a timetable for withdrawal and has dismissed the idea of a “graceful exit.”
He prefers a clumsy exit. He prefers to be viewed as Cheney’s puppet instead of his own man, whether or not he is. He keeps his own counsel, he claims to be guided by God, and has previously made it clear he’ll stay the course, even if his support dwindles to that of his wife and his dog.
I’d love for him to prove me wrong. But unless I see some real initiatives on his part within this month, I’m afraid our best hope going forward is if we can convince Laura to look for a new residence, and to make room for ‘Toto’, too.
And in the meantime, while he wrestles with his own ego, apparently oblivious to him, people will die.
