This is my 2 cent update to
Krusty's October Surprise diary.
Democrats may be playing the Iran/Bush-is-a-maniac/nukes card wrong. Face it, Bush using nukes in Iran is a low possibility. Bush finally accepting Iran's diplomatic overtures is a higher possibility. And Bush instilling fear in the American public for his own political gain, even a higher possibility.
(mare beyond the fold)
If the Iranians are trying to make a deal behind the scenes, which they may be, Bush holds all the cards concerning the timing. All of the furor over Bush's tough guy refusal to take nukes off the table just adds to his aura and exaggerates his image as a hard liner. And the more crazy talk from the Iranian President, the more it helps Bush. And, God knows, Bush's people have enough connections with the shady middle men in Iran.
My prediction? At the time of his choosing, say October 20th, 2006, Bush will announce that thanks to his steadfast resoluteness, and Condi Rice, the Iranians have backed down and cut a deal during secret negotiations to stop nuke weapons research. Bush saves the Republicans in Nov. and polishes his reputation at the same time, and his base bows at his feet.
Perhaps Dems should raise the bar for Bush not lower it by promoting the unlikely possibility that he will use nukes. Focus on pointing out the signs Iran is giving us that they want to deal, and that if Bush is serious, he should work even harder at diplomacy. Find ideas for diplomacy. Investigate whether something is happening behind the scenes.
Thinking Dems need to accept the possibility that Bush will be able to work this out diplomatically with Iran in the near future. It's in Iran's interest, as well as ours (and Bush's). I realize the guy is, once again, scaring everyone, but maybe, once again, that is his objective.
Bush says this time circumstances call for diplomacy, the Dems should be incessantly reinforcing his words.