Brace yourself for a mind-bog of sheer cynicism. The discombobulation begins Wednesday, when President George W. Bush is expected to proclaim, in a major speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, that the Iraqi security forces--which only a few months ago were said to have just one battalion capable of fighting on its own--have suddenly made uncanny progress in combat readiness. Expect soon after (if not during the speech itself) the thing that Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have, just this month, denounced as near-treason--a timetable for withdrawal of American troops. -
Bush's Can't-Lose Reversal
Getting out is the right thing to do, but Dems can't let Bush get away with reaping the political benefit of withdrawl. That is where the Hawk Dems come into play. Now is the time for Lieberman et al to out-flank Bush and accuse him of cutting-and-running, losing the war, and betraying the troops.
The GOP has provided the playbook. Now we just need a few hawks to stand up, take one for the team and use Rove's tactics on Team Rove.