Bush postponing major operations in Iraq for electoral reasons

[NV1962]

Haven't seen this around here - so here goes this happy li'l x-post:

Amazing.

One moment, the guy's stuck in his un-groovy message that Iraq, we have a war against the terrorists, September 11, homeland in grave danger, Saddam Hussein, Iraq, terrorists, we shall win, wah wah wah - the next, he decides to forgo the nuisance of fighting terrorists because bloody egg on his face (aside from a piece in his ear) makes him look like, well, the terrorists' favorite. Thanks to the Blue Lemur for pointing to this amazing announcement:

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.

Not too much interested in introducing democracy in Iraq, either.

Let's see if he has the balls and the utter lack of wits to use that "nuisance" theme ad - I have the counter-attack already sittin' pretty on a storyboard here: Bush couldn't be bothered to focus the fight on the real terrorists - now he won't let the troops fight to win the needless war he started. Bush: beyond a nuisance, a grave and immediate threat to national security.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

1. The Killing starts Nov. 3

Unless shrub is removed from office. Sadly, it may be inevitable even if Kerry is elected.