On tuesday, I am afraid, he may announce a cease fire in Iraq and a

[KlatooBNikto]

time table for our withdrawal, if all else does not stem the hemorrhage of his poll numbers.That way, now he can seize the initiative as the peacemaker.It is in his character to do so and I am afraid that he is keeping it as an ace up his sleeve.

[shraby]

1. But then talk about what a boogey man

Iran is?

[hatrack]

2. I seriously doubt it - he has neither the guts nor imagination to do so

Instead, we'll just get another steaming mound of Freedom Talk, and of course there will be many, many flags for a backdrop.

[salin]

3. Under what pretext would he be declaring Victory?

Because he wouldn't pull out unless he can claim victory to the public.

[BrotherBuzz]

22. He already explained what victory was in 1999 - LOL

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." -- Governor George W. Bush (R-TX), April 9, 1999, regarding US troops in Kosovo.

[Orangepeel]

46. simple. Just say that they've trained enough policemen

and the Iraqis are able to govern themselves now. It would be bullshit, but since "enough" is subjective...

Anyway, that might be the best that could be hoped for in such an awful situation.

[oasis]

4. Ceasefire and troop withdrwal is a good thing. Let the Iraqis handle their

own affairs. They want us out anyway.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. I'm not "afraid" of that. I wish he would.

It would in no way exonerate him for starting this war and lying the country into it.

It would be the best thing he could possibly do at this point.

It's sad that Democrats are NOT in the lead calling for a withdrawal because despite "losing" elections they still feel they have too much to lose to be labelled as retreaters or whatever, but that's another subject.

I wish he WOULD pull us out of Iraq.

[KlatooBNikto]

I too wish he would do it, just to stop the suffering.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

23. But you said you are "afraid" he will do this in your title. Why?

Because of the political consequences to the Democrats, who have failed to seize the initiative to be against this war?

The Democratic officeholders are going through their period of wandering through the wilderness like Moses until they figure out they need to actually oppose the Republicans.

If a core of Democratic officeholders actually came out and called for us to withdraw from Iraq ("We were lied to, DSM proves it, the info on which the nation's support for Iraq invasion was lies, it is a disaster, we must withdraw and make amends"), there would be risk and potential benefit.

Risk: labelled as quitters, cowards etc.

Benefit: Now shrub and the Repub party couldn't seize the initiative of abandoning their venture without being seen as following the sound lead of the Dems. Be the party that led the way getting out of this disastrous venture that Bush got us into.

As it is, the party is just seen as weak, intimidated followers of Bush.

[KlatooBNikto]

41. I am afraid is a phrase that is used especially in the UK as a way to say

I think. I have not gotten over the use of that phrase, I am afraid.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

44. No worries. I was just curious what you were thinking.

:hi:

[Island Blue]

6. Maybe a cease fire with Iraq

and an attack plan for Iran. I don't think this guy's appetite for blood has been satisfied this quickly.

[Rex]

He will announce some kind of draft.

I'm sure they will do everything BUT call it a draft, history repeats itself all the time.

[Theres-a]

43. I was wondering that,too.

I wondered if he would announce it,or sneak it in,perhaps at night..

[movonne]

7. I kind of doubt this....he is a pawn for the corporations, especially

the oil company's, and they are not going to let him get out of Iraq until every drop of oil is gone...also we have to have bases over there to be able to attact other countries..

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. That is what we're fighting for...it shouldn't frighten you

It would be a cause for celebration.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

9. I got a nice bridge for ya.

"It is in his character to do so..."

Real nice bridge. Easy terms.

[KlatooBNikto]

17. When I said, it is in his character to do so, I meant he likes to do

something, anything that causes his enemies embarrassment, not that he is motivated by any humanitarian sentiment.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

19. Maybe he will shed a big slow rolling silver tear.

It will be knowned as the "Wet Tuesday" speech.
It will show everybody how sincere that he is.
It will turn public opinion back toward for the war.
Please send credit card number now hurry don't think.

[mopaul]

25. man, if he could just squeeze one tiny sick tear out he'd be in like flynn

come on and cry, tiny sick tears, cry cry cry, tiny sick tears

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

42. The Mother of all Tears?

[abluelady]

10. Flip flopper; flip flopper; flip flopper n/t

[Disturbed]

15. Hell no!

Shrub will wave the flag and call for faith in his vision. Freedom blah, blah, blah.....

[Vladimir]

11. I wish I could believe that n/t

[mopaul]

12. i could see it, but it would be a lie of course

announce a cease fire and stay the curse at the same time so it gives the appearance of actually meaning something, even though it doesn't. a diversion, but not a real pull out of course.

it will work for the red meat eaters for a while.

[KlatooBNikto]

18. That is more likely than what I said. He would, in fact, pull a Nixon.

Prolong the war while pretending to be a peacemaker.

[brettdale]

13. well we are getting all the bush*t that

There are peace talks between the insurgents and the USA, the media will whore it up, i think i read that the repugs said hes going to talk about things the media dont, like schools being built, people having jobs, more hosiptals, I think hes going to try and post a rosy picture of Iraq.

[brettdale]

14. is thier going to be a oress conference after his speech?

If so, I bet not one reporter will bring up the DSM.

[bettyellen]

16. not too likely....

i wish though.

[achtung_circus]

20. I doubt it.

It's not in his nature to back down, his masculinity wouldn't hadle that even if it is built on a pile of other peoples' children.

A unilateral cease-fire? Not.

[rzemanfl]

21. The asshole already declared the War over once, the Iraqis did

not agree...

[cynatnite]

24. An admit he was wrong and a defeat??

not gonna happen.

[mopaul]

26. stay the curse, stay the curse. i don't expect anything surprising

but it is plausible that he'll lie a few rainbows up our ass.

[DemonFighterLives]

27. It is not their M.O.

The crime family always sticks to their story until the last dog is hung. The only possibility is of a phony withdrawl with much fanfare while the war continues with even less publicity.
Don't burn the flag damnit. Watch flag sales soar.

[wishlist]

28. Nope- Rummy and rest of the gang have just all said no withdrawal plan

In the past two weeks we have heard nothing else but repudiation of the suggestions of a withdrawal from Bush, Condi, Cheney, Rummy and the military at the last Pentagon press briefing. But Bush might make some vague remarks that could be construed that things are going well enough that we will eventually be able to claim victory and let Iraqis take over. He will say just enough to pacify his base by reassuring them that the war is successful and nearly won without really committing to any withdrawal or reduction in military efforts there. He absolutely is committed to 'stay the course' and anything else would be construed as capitulation. Bush and Co's philosophy is to annihilate as many Iraqis as possible who might stand in the way of a U.S. dominated occupation.

[FreedomAngel82]

50. More then likely

The only time they'll even become close to pulling out is either a) closer to the midterms (Remember going into Iraq was planned perfectly along side the 2002 elections) or b) closer to the 2008 election and then their nominee can run on continuing the "war on terror" and remind everyone once again how Saddam was a very bad man.

[Jacobin]

29. I want some of what you are smoking

:smoke:

[Bouncy Ball]

30. Nope, nope, nope, nope and nope.

No way. Then anyone and everyone could say "SEE???? WE TOLD YOU SO!!!"

Heck just tonight they are saying on the news (according to my husband) that they are talking 12 MORE YEARS in Iraq.

So on Tuesday, he's going to suddenly say "Oh, oooops! Heh, heh, maybe we better pull out, heh heh!"

Nope. Not gonna happen. You can NEVER count on bush to do the right thing. Never.

[stanwyck]

31. How can there be a cease fire?

We're not dealing with a unified, organized opposition, an army answering to an administration. These are bands of people with different leaderships. When will they "cease fire"? Maybe when we leave. Maybe never.
However, I think you could be right about Bush announcing that we're close to starting a withdrawal. He'll claim victory in light of the elections and the capturing of an assortment of dissidents. Nevermind that 50 more step up to take their place.
The real question is, how will the Bush admnistration manage to convince the American people that a "job well done" withdrawal is taking place while simultaneously ensuring that the billions that have been spent for American corporate industries in Iraq are safeguarded?
That's where we are now. Bush has to get us out fairly soon or the Republicans risk too much damaage in the mid-terms. And the next general election will be in jeopardy. But. The military industrial complex, and the oil companies, have too much to lose if we don't colonize Iraq according to the neocon promise of prosperity for all. An oil well in every pot.
What everyone is missing is that we just don't understand the Middle East. We want a timeline. A deadline. A date. We're linear. We use PDAs and DSL. We can't wait. We want everything faster.
And we're in a very slow place. Iraqis use camels. The fundamnetalist Islamists are winning the hearts and minds. Honor killings have returned.
Our leaders have been profoundly wrong about what would follow the fall of Hussein.

[GOPisEvil]

32. "It's in his character to do so..." Huh?

You mean, admit he was wrong? Admit that his strategery was off-base. Oh no...no way in HELL he announces a cease fire.

[Stirk]

33. Not a chance. Look- this is a business venture more than anything else.

Corporate America (Bush's America, in other words) has made alot of money in Iraq already, yes. But they can do that anywhere. They wanted to invade Iraq in order to control Iraq's oil. To *control* it, not just sell it.

They will not relinquish control of that oil unless they have absolutely no other choice. They'll reinstate the Draft before they let go of Iraq's oil.

A set timetable for withdrawal of US troops would be a promise to give up control of Iraq's resources if the population has not been pacified by some specific date. There's no way they'll do that. Ever.

[FreedomAngel82]

51. The only reason why

I think they would tell a timetable after all this "we can't do it cause it'll give away our plans to the enemy" crap is if they have other people in other countries helping them to build the military bases and to secure all the oil. If they can get other people (miscenaries I believe they're called) to do this job they won't have to worry about pulling a draft and they can leave whenever they want. They'll of course still leave some of our military there to help and keep an eye on how things are going and report back to him (the officials etc). They'll do some staged "victory" event like with Saddam's statue which was pure crap of course. They won't do anything of the sort until it's closer to the midterms. As others have said everybody is now pushing for a timetable on when to leave. Lindsay Graham said recently that he's hearing it in his state (sc) all over the place from church to business people. So if the republicans don't do something about Iraq they will lose seats in 2006. Not everywhere has it to where you vote on a machine (we don't). Bush knows if they lose seats next year then a lot of his plans (well plans he's following through for others) won't get passed. They won't get to do "Patriot Act part two" or anything else they have planned and there could be the possibility of impeachment. The only reason why the Bush gang is still there in recent events with the DSM is because the republicans are in the majority. They can't risk losing anybody. It will be interesting to see what happens though. Oh on Bernie Ward's show early last week he had a guy who wrote a book called "Losing Iraq" and he gave LOTS of REALLY REALLY good information. Check it out at http://www.whiterosesociety.org I can't remember what day it's on though. But you should definitley listen to this interview. The guy tells so much good stuff it'll make you want to fall out of your chair.

[Cocoa]

34. why would that be bad?

aside from a fantasy not imaginable in a million years, it sounds like something good, not bad.

[rocktivity]

35. I can't imagine a cease-fire without a promise of troop withdrawal

if only because it would put a big dent in the insurgency if they didn't have U.S. troops to fire at.

:headbang:
rocknation

[catmandu57]

36. No, I really have my doubts that we'll see anything but a

rally reminiscent of a nazi love fest. If in fact it was a speech declaring intentions to get out of Iraq, he wouldn't be doing it at a military base, it would be coming from the oval office.
The oil people and contractors stealing billions aren't ready to get out yet. He would have to turn attention to domestic affairs and the only domestic affair he has is with kindsleazy and jeffery guckert.

[Cha]

37. bushites want the OIL, Contracts,

and Location of Iraq..no way is bush going to give up that.

[sendero]

38. As recently as 2-3 days ago..

... he was still making the case for staying.

I don't think so. I think he's going to do the same thing he's been doing about SS, jawbone, jawbone and jawbone some more, and the stunning lack of success he will have in persuading anyone will leave him baffled.

Yes, he believes his own bullshit.

[Zen Democrat]

39. The time for seizing any peace initiative has passed.

He won't do anything like that. He plans on staying there for years, poll numbers be damned.

Who does he negotiate a "cease-fire" with?

[Walt Starr]

40. No way in hell. It would be derided as "cut and run".

Cease fires cannot be one way. Only diplomacy results in a cease fire. Unless they've been "negotiating with terrrists" there is no way in hell a cease fire will occur.

Leaving would be tanamount to "cutting and running" which would put Iraq on par with Vietnam.

No way, plan on hearing lots of "stay the course" because that's all the little man has.

[bluestateguy]

45. There won't be anything new in this speech

It will just be a prime time compilation of what we have been hearing for the last 6 months. Go rent a movie Tuesday night.

Now I could see him pulling the kind of stunt you describe sometime next year close to the elections. LBJ announced a halt in the bombing in North Vietnam 5 days before the '68 election. Nixon had the famous "peace is at hand" moment in late October of '72.

[FreedomAngel82]

54. Exactly

Just what I was thinking. There are two case scenarios that could happen. Either 1) They start to pull out in time for the 2006 midterms. Remember going into Iraq was timed PERFECTLY for the 2002 midterms. The guest on Bernie Ward's show who wrote the book "Losing Iraq" talked about this. He said how they timed it all for political capital. Right now a lot of republicans are getting heat for leaving Iraq (ie: Lindsay Graham) and all the recent poll numbers show that as well. If they don't do something they will lose people in 2006 and they can't be the minority again because we could then impeach Bush and the whole administration and that wouldn't be good for any of them whether it's the contractors, Halliburton, Bush, republican politicians etc. The second case is for the 2008 elections. If they pull out of Iraq then they'll look like victors and they'll win some seats and possibly the election in 2008 with their nominee who will probably run on how the democrats have been obstructionists and the "war on terror".

[greekspeak]

47. His no-bid buddies will not like that!

How can American megabusiness keep exploiting this "Wawer on Terra" if Shrub pulls out?

[FreedomAngel82]

48. I don't think they're ready for that

If they do it'll be something about the "insergents" backing away and making them look good and in control (barf/yeah right). If they do back away it'll be closer to the midterms.

[funflower]

49. My guess is it'll be a "cease fire," but we'll keep our new mega-bases in

the new "self-governing" Iraq.

[LittleClarkie]

52. I could see him announcing that

and then finding a way to not really do it.

Like announcing withdrawal of our troops from Europe and S. Korea. Did that end up actually happening? I didn't notice it if it did.

[JohnnyBoots]

53. and then be in good position to blame the Dems, maybe Rove's

comments were the set up for this? plant the seed of liberals being pussies, then do what the left wants and when it hits the fan blame them?

[FreedomAngel82]

55. That could be possible

And make it see someway they were the real "patriots" etc. If they do pull out though they'll probably hire people from other countries to come and help build the rest of the bases, secure the oil etc. and of course keep some of the military there but probably pull out a lot of main military. Even if they do pull out they will have someway to have a prescence there and a deal with the Iraq PM.