What we are supposed to believe is this:
- That George W. Bush totally “gets it” that things aren’t going well in Iraq.
- That he is ready and eager to make the policy changes necessary to end the spiral of disaster there.
- That he cannot make those changes if they would cause him to “lose face.”
- That James Baker’s Iraq Study Group (ISG), a non-partisan group of the nation’s finest minds, will map out a new plan that will save face for Bush, and allow the nation a way out of the Iraq debacle.
Bush met with members of the ISG yesterday:
Bush offered little indication that he is planning to adjust his approach, telling reporters gathered in the Oval Office that “the best military options depend upon the conditions on the ground” in Iraq. The president also met for more than an hour with former secretary of state James A. Baker III, former representative Lee H. Hamilton (D-Ind.) and other members of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which is looking to chart a new course in the war.
…
The White House was extremely guarded yesterday about the round of meetings the study group held with Bush and other members of his administration, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley and Vice President Cheney. Bush said he was not going to “prejudge” the group’s report, which is expected in early December. He said that they had a “really good discussion” and that he was looking forward to “interesting ideas.”
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s my cynicism talking, or maybe it’s my years and years of experience watching this guy. But I’m thinking the ISG report isn’t going to make the slightest difference to Bush’s policies in Iraq. Well, maybe he’ll change some slogans: “Stay the Course” becomes “Maintain Current Heading,” perhaps?
Does this remind you of anyone?
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