NYT: For President, Smaller Goals in Iraq and a Focus on the Process

[kskiska]

As Iraq's draft constitution was presented to its National Assembly and honored at a brief ceremony largely boycotted by Sunnis, President Bush joined with others in his administration on Sunday in praising the charter as a milestone in the transition to democracy and the battle against insurgents.

(snip)

It was not long ago that the administration was loath to be seen as interfering in internal Iraqi politics. Yet only on Thursday, in a last-minute effort to bring about a compromise, Mr. Bush telephoned Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, a cleric and the leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, to press him to be more accommodating to Sunni interests. The effort failed.

The timing of the setback with the constitution was especially tough for President Bush, after a summer in which continuing American casualties and deaths have sent approval ratings of his handling of the war skidding to new lows. The setback also raises questions about whether the administration can cut the number of troops in Iraq by next year, as is the goal of some in the Pentagon.

In addition, Congress is returning with heightened criticism of the administration's war strategy. Less obvious, the administration is facing Arabs' concerns about Iraqi turmoil and what they perceive as Iran's influence on the Shiite parties in Iraq.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2005/08/29/politics/29strategy.html?hp&ex=1125288000&en=479335d960dba7c4&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[punpirate]

1. Why do I get the sense that the Bushies...

... are trying to lower the bar yet again?

[rodeodance]

2. they already have-just pretending they have not.

.......Less obvious, the administration is facing Arabs' concerns about Iraqi turmoil and what they perceive as Iran's influence on the Shiite parties in Iraq.

[Melodybe]

4. The Process, The Process, The Process

That Daily Show clip of Bush, Condi, and Rumsfeild saying "the process" over and over again can't get out of my head.

A big F U to the Screw York Times for pretending like this is something new.

[grytpype]

5. Right, it's all about the process.

Not the results. If the process is democratic in some manner of speaking, Bush is not responsible for the results. If the results are bad that is the Iraqis' fault.

The bar doesn't get any lower than that people.

[grytpype]

3. Read Dear Leader's thought about this article...

... here.

http://dearleadersdailythought.blogspot.com/

[grytpype]

6. RECOMMEND! And read the last two paragraphs!!!!

You won't believe your eyes. This is the NYT. You will not believe the last two paragraphs.

RECOMMEND!