Let's talk Iraq. Rumsfeld is out. Cheney remains. This morning President Bush's Chief of Staff, Josh Bolten, told George Stephanopolous on This Week that a "full speed ahead" policy in Iraq can include a willingness to constantly change tactics. I'm no nautical expert, but wouldn't the most likely outcome of this "strategy" be capsize? Seriously, Bolten followed Senators Biden and Levin, both of whom said their first priority would be to change course by calling for a phased withdrawal within months and the convening of some sort of non-U.S.-led multinational group to help stabilize Iraq diplomatically.
It seems like the Bush Administration's only problem with signing on to something like the Biden/Levin approach would be if it included a "fixed" timetable for withdrawal. Even the humbled neo-cons are no longer uttering "cut and run" in an effort to besmirch the Administration's critics. Bill Kristol on Fox News Sunday instead described the choice as pursuing victory and "cutting our losses." But, as Kristol acknowledged, it was clear which way the Administration was leaning in its move to swap Gates for Rumsfeld.
I've never cared much for labels; so, I have little patience for what to call where we're heading in Iraq: something less than "victory," but something more than "defeat." I predict President Bush will cooperate with Democrats to salvage his legacy. I'm not sure why the re-sent the Bolton nomination to the Senate. Perhaps in the tumultuous aftermath of the elections and Rumsfeld's ouster, the remaining die hards, like Cheney and Bolton, need some token bones thrown their way to demonstrate that it may still be possible for them to save face.
If I'm wrong, however, and the die hards are die nevers, and if Bush throws his lot with them and abandons any attempt to salvage his legacy, I fully expect investigations, impeachment, and war crimes prosecutions.
I'm off to watch McCain on Meet the Press. More later.
