I appreciate how Bush is trying to repair his legacy before he leaves office next January. Maybe he’s finally reflected on the impact he’s had on the world since 2000, and maybe he doesn’t like what he’s sees. Either way, he’s got quite a bit of work ahead of him if he plans on making any difference.
Today, the AP broke news that Nouri al-Maliki and the Bush administration have agreed on a ‘general time horizon’ for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. Bush, who famously insisted that we must ’stay the course’ in Iraq, appears to have caved under the weight of international pressure - or pressure from Maliki - or pressure from us.
Apparently, this new agreement is made on the condition that reducing our presence in Iraq would not be forced and our commanders on the ground would be able to continue missions should such requirements arise.
Convictions obviously don’t matter in your final year as Chief Executive - but in this case, that really isn’t a bad thing. I think that’s why we’re sending an envoy to an E.U. meeting with Iran, as well - which also isn’t a bad thing.
Maybe we can stop borrowing Chinese money and repair some of the damage that the worst administration in the last 100 years has caused. Maybe, Bush will change his mind about other things, like gay marriage, renewable energy (wait, didn’t he do that already?) and abortion.
Regardless, a changing of the guard is only a few months away, and a lot of these things will happen anyway once the Big ‘O’ takes office.
By the way, go donate some money to the Obama campaign if you have a few bucks to spare.
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