WASHINGTON - Welcome to the Bazaar phase of Iraq War politics. I do not mean “bizarre,” though it may be that, too, but “bazaar” as in Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, where they haggle to exhaustion over predetermined outcomes. Everyone knows a deal will be made, but the process is about the price and the egos of the bargainers.
This was supposed to be a make-or-break week in the politics of the war. It is nothing of the kind. We already know where we’re headed. Sometime late this year, perhaps early in 2008, we will begin withdrawing the 30,000 “surge” troops from Iraq. Their departure will have nothing to do with the debate here; they must depart for logistical “rotation” reasons. Later in the year it is possible, though not likely, that some of the remaining 130,000 troops will leave. We’ll still be north of 100,000.
Democrats will vote a date for the start of withdrawal, but the pace will not be a “precipitous” one, to use Sen. Harry Reid’s word. Some Republicans will vote for the measure, but it won’t have an end date – what GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell calls a “surrender date.” In between, there will be endless arguments over timing and troop strength.
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To haggle successfully in the Grand Bazaar, you have to be willing – really willing – to walk away. Bush is relying on the fact that the Democrats are probably too responsible to do so.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20692865/
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