[lbo-talk] Bush Backs Away From 2 Key Ideas of Panel on Iraq

[Seth Ackerman]

Doug Henwood wrote:

> Brit Hume & Co. really played up this conflict on Fox last night (and  
> how about that NY Post cover on the Baker commish? "SURRENDER  
> MONKEYS"!). So I wonder how this is going to work out. I'm guessing  
> that Baker et al speak for the big bourgeoisie and Bush doesn't. So  
> will there be a campaign against him forthcoming?


This is one theory. I have another one, though: Bush has *already* 
decided to withdraw from Iraq. But he wants to salvage the neocon dream 
and his own place as its figurehead for the post-presidential future. So 
he appointed Gates to make him the fall-guy in the eyes of the base. 
Meanwhile, Bush will keep talking tough and loud about how we're not 
cutting and running while quietly the government incremantally prepares 
for a withdrawal.

Seth