BUSH: 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.
That was then (last Friday’s Debate).
This is now (today’s LA Times)…
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.
…
“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.
…
“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.”
It’s the credibility, Stupid.
Sad, but true. A friend of mine who worked at the Pentagon (and still has friends there), has been told big attacks will kick off mid-November, with Fallujah at the top of the list. And they’ll be the "collateral damage is acceptable" kind.
If the military stepped things up now and Bush’s popularity numbers went up, you would call it "October Surprise."
Hardly, because I doubt his numbers will go up when civilians are killed in waves. Which is why he’s waiting until after the election. That way, either he’s in already and the uproar won’t matter, or he leaves Kerry to explain the problem.