The (Long) Countdown to an Iraq Withdrawal

Who says you need an approval rating above 30% to reassure a nation?

Bush told the nation last night that he was going to do what we expected him to do, which is continue to prosecute the the Iraq campaign the same way he always has. Troop cuts, well yes, but only because he is running out of troops. Not because he's changing course.

So America's focus will continue to be on Iraq, which leaves the Republicans in Congress and those running for the White House with a lot to think about. How in the world is Giuliani/McCain/Thompson/Romney going to run a general election campaign having gone on record giving the President his full support on the Iraq Campaign? Who will try to distance themselves?

And what of the Democrats. The President stole their rhetorical thunder by promising that 5,000 troops will be home for Christmas (never mind that that leaves 155,000 over there to open presents in body armor). The Democrats have no hand, and no leverage, and can only count on nervous Republicans to join them in talk, and talk only-- because this President isn't listening.

Where does this leave the American people, who want to move on to all the other dangerous risks facing the nation? Well, they're just going to have to wait 16 more months and see if they can find a President with a plan to get America out.