Updating Iraq

Some definite realities changed today in the Iraq war with a new policy direction slated by President Bush. I’m really surprised that more people, people way smarter than me, haven’t picked up on this. I would be surprised that the mainstream media hasn’t picked up on it either, but I’m actually more surprised that there is still a mainstream media.

At a speech in Chicago, President Bush addressed a room full of hand-selected Bush supporters where he described the war in Iraq as being at a “turning point.” For once I agree with Bush.

In January 2005 many Bush supporters lauded the Iraqi party elections and the militarily imposed spread of democracy. Many then called those elections a turning point also. What people didn’t realize then was that elections are not democracy. Three elections past, the same is still very true today. But what happened over the weekend in Iraq when the first real government since the ouster of Saddam was sworn in is maybe the first foothold of democracy in the Middle East that can be accurately defined as such. Iraq now has an official government. And America is now officially an occupying power.

Bush’s speech, which I deem to be accurate in defining the “turning point,” changes policy direction in a very substantial way:

“But something fundamental changed this weekend: The terrorists are now fighting a free and constitutional government. They're at war with the people of Iraq. And the Iraqi people are determined to defeat this enemy. And so are Iraq's new leaders. And so is the United States of America.”

For one, that lone paragraph defines civil war in Iraq. A civil war that America is paying dearly for. 50 GI’s/month. $9 billion/month. 1100 Iraqis/month. $3 gasoline. A hugely unpopular president. And a big government loving Republican controlled congress that has rendered the largest national debt in American history.

“The new Iraqi government does not change America's objectives or our commitment, but it will change how we achieve those objectives and how we honor our commitment.

And as the new Iraqi government grows in confidence and capability, America will play an increasingly supporting role.”

This second paragraph outlines the policy for troop withdrawal. The London Times today reported a Bush-Blair meeting that will outline a significant withdrawal of troops by December 2006. The withdrawal will come just in time for the November midterm elections where Republicans will once again run on national security, tax cuts and moral values.

Though Bush is right to begin winding things down in Iraq, it must be getting difficult with a 30% approval rating to find enough people to fill a room and ask him snowball questions.

UPDATE: This will be the final week for Political Notio. For me summer has begun and I plan on traveling, sleeping and spending time with the wife. I'm afraid I won't have much time to keep the site going. I feel it's not fair to keep people hanging and periodically checking in when they have their own priorities. I will leave open the possibility of doing guest posts on other sites. I will over time be dismantling this site. I must thank everyone for their time and their support. I encourage everyone to get involved this fall for the elections-- no matter the party. I will try not to be a stranger on my favorite blogs.