Bremer, the IGC, and a tinfoil hat...

[Teaser]

I posted this to my blog, Burying the Lede, and my dKos diary.

Indulge me for a moment in a flight of tin-foil hattery.

Why is the United States, and particularly Paul Bremer, going to the mat over having their man Adnan Pachachi installed in the ceremonial post of Iraqi president? We already have our man in Baghdad, Ayad Allawi, safely ensconced in the powerful prime ministership. Why work so hard at denying the Governing Council's choiceof Ghazi al-Yawer for the presidency?

My inner paranoid says that we're setting up a show confrontation with the Iraqi Governing Council. The loony in me says we may fight a bit over this post, but we'll eventually fold and make it look like we were backed down by the IGC. This will give (hopefully) instant anti-American credibility to the new government and hopefully make people forget our installation of Allawi in the really important post.

Of course, this is nothing but a conspiracy theory. And if the Bushies are, as usual, concerned about domestic politics, one would have to believe it to be impossible, because it would play badly on the home front. Losing another fight in Iraq will make the U.S. (and Bush) look even weaker to the all-important swing voter, and adds to that voting blocs already festering malaise.

Still, even if unlikely, keep this thought in the cobwebbed attics of your brains, folks. You may need to dust it off sooner than you think.

[Nlighten1]

1. A political head fake.

Good analysis...I just wonder if you are giving them too much credit. These cretins tend to operate in a "my way or the highway" style.

[BillZBubb]

2. No tinfoil is necessary.

There is a lot of propaganda related gamesmanship going on. Allawi was the guy BushCo wanted, so they played Brahimi and the "Governing" Council.

Still Bush* & Co don't want a President who might just continue to criticize the occupation and call for US troops to get out now. That doesn't fit the program! All these guys are ceremonial--until someone legitimate is elected by the Iraqi people. A President who calls for the US to get out would have a huge leg up when elections are held. Allawi, the US puppet, can only win a rigged election.

Shrub can't have any top Iraqi official calling for troop withdrawals until after our November elections.

[Beetwasher]

3. Too Long Term and Thoughtful

This admin. does NOT care what the Iraqi's think. They only care about the short term political implications here at home. This is TOO embarrassing for them at home and will reflect negatively on them during the run up to the election. The last thing they want is a FIASCO related to the handover. This is the result of poor planning and NO diplomatic skills. They need someone, and quickly, so they're trying to jam this guy down the throats of everyone to get someone, ANYONE to take the damn position.

This is evidence of this bunch of incompetent fascists coming apart at the seams. They thought they could fly by the seat of their pants and they are flying head first into the brick wall of reality.

[Teaser]

4. Bump

Maybe I was right after all?

[Teaser]

5. Bump

Maybe I was right after all?

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Looks like you nailed it.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20040601/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_politics

Al-Yawer Named Iraq's New President

June 1, 2004


BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. and Saudi-educated head of Iraq's Governing Council was named president of the interim Iraqi government Tuesday, after the Americans' preferred candidate turned down the post.

The selection of Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer to the largely ceremonial post broke a deadlock over the makeup of a new Iraqi government set to assume power June 30.

Strong explosions were repeatedly heard in central Baghdad as word of the appointment was announced. At least one blast appeared to have been in the green zone headquarters of the U.S.-run coalition, where the council was meeting. There was no immediate word on casualties.



Now if you could just PM the numbers for tomorrow's lottery? I would sure appreciate it. Thanks.