Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Who knew they could sink lower?

Forgive me, Prof. Heller, for quoting your entire post on the wonderful Yin blog, but this is just perfectly true:

The Yin Blog: How not to Win a War–During last week’s debate, Bush opined:

I don’t see how you can lead this country in a time of war, in a time of uncertainty, if you change your mind because of politics.

Bush’s target, of course, was Kerry’s alleged “flip-flops” on Iraq. But he might as well have been talking about himself, as this article from the Los Angeles Times indicates:

The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.

Although American commanders in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallouja and Ramadi — where the insurgents’ grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could be the highest — until after Americans vote in what is likely to be an extremely close election.

“When this election’s over, you’ll see us move very vigorously,” said one senior administration official involved in strategic planning, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Once you’re past the election, it changes the political ramifications” of a large-scale offensive, the official said. “We’re not on hold right now. We’re just not as aggressive.”

Any delay in pacifying Iraq’s most troublesome cities, however, could alter the dynamics of a different election — the one in January, when Iraqis are to elect members of a national assembly.

If there was ever any doubt that political expediency is Bush’s most sacred value, this should put those doubts to rest once and for all.

Update: DeLong goes ballistic on this one:

Think about what this means. Think hard. Think very hard.

The generals say we should move now. Moving now gives us the greatest chance of victory at the lowest likely cost. Moving later gives us a lesser chance of victory at a higher cost in terms of our soldiers’ lives. But moving later is helpful to the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Impeach George W. Bush. Impeach Richard Cheney. Impeach them now.