We already knew that the Administration was getting daily reports on the situation in Iraq from Kroll, Inc., and, thanks to the
Washington Post, we knew that the President had shot that particular messenger when the reports continued to belie his ridiculous happy-talk.
But now, thanks to the News Tracker over at the Senate Democratic Leadership homepage, I find out that Kroll has been issuing independent weekly reports that are still available on its website.
Their latest report, dated yesterday, September 30, says what we all know, that the emperor has no clothes:
Doubts continued to grow this week over whether elections can take place in January as planned against the current backdrop of relentless violence...It is likely that the current U.S. firmness is tied to the November presidential elections, and that its stance could change after the U.S. vote, if George Bush is re-elected. A revised and perhaps more realistic timetable could then be adopted...
You read that last part right. Kroll is telling its clients worldwide that one of its clients, Bush, is misleading the world about the prospects for holding an Iraqi election in January, and is doing it to win the U.S. election in November. Kroll won't keep its business around the world if it doesn't call these shots straight. So while they didn't out and out call their client, the President of the U.S., an out-of-touch liar willing to do anything to be re-elected, they came damn close.
As far as I can see, the media know nothing of these reports. They don't know (or aren't reporting) that the President's own advisers think he's going to postpone the Iraq election as soon as he secures a second term. I'll do what I can to get the word out. Can you Kos'ers help?
BTW, this is no new development - Kroll's been warning that the election timetable is unrealistic for weeks:
September 9, 2004 Report:
Iraq: Continuing Instability May Delay January Election
September 16, 2004 Report:
The security problems in Iraq, already grave, appear poised for further escalation. On top of the current plauge of violence there is rising concern about potential ethnic and religious strife. Coupled with rising criminal activity, this can be expected to force a delay in the planned January 2005 elections.
September 23, 2004 Report:
Iraq: Military Operations Fail to Achieve Promised Results - As the intensified U.S.-Iraqi military operations across the country fail to bring calm and order, the elections promised for January appear increasingly in jeopardy.
Oh, and remember, the Senate Dem website is where I picked this up, so if you have the scratch, go reward good behavior.