Still analyzing the Iraq Study Group report and the very interesting news conference. One thing is clear: The Bush strategy is a failure. Not a surprise, but the the players are now unabashed about saying just that:
“We do not recommend a stay-the-course solution,” Mr. Baker said pointedly at a question-answer session accompanying the report’s release. “In our opinion, that is no longer viable.” Those remarks were sure to be interpreted, at least by administration critics, as a rebuke to President Bush.This White House has never been seriously challenged on its Iraq policy. The House and Senate Republicans completely failed to provide oversight. Much of the media dropped the ball. Now, the challenge to Bush is out in the open.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, said the study group had done “a tremendous and historic service” by declaring that “there must be a change in Iraq, and there is no time to lose.”
But the White House could point to the commission’s refusal to advocate a quick withdrawal of American troops, an event that Mr. Hamilton said could touch off “a bloodbath” and a wider regional conflict.
Al Gore had some very important advice for the usually petulant president this morning when he urged Bush not to take this personally. It's bigger than Bush, but no one is sure he's up to the challenge.
