For anyone expecting more out of Amman, or more out of the extensive policy reviews under way, they need look no further than President Bush himself. No matter what the result of the midterm elections, nor the conclusions of James Baker, there is only one commander in chief, and only one decider. And his decisions on the big things in Iraq seem set in stone.
“We’ll continue to be flexible, and we’ll make the changes necessary to succeed,” he said. “But there’s one thing I'm not going to do: I’m not going to pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete.” In other words, anyone—such as the newly empowered Democrats—expecting troop withdrawals will have to wait either until Iraq is able to govern itself, or until Bush leaves office.
Bush will not leave no matter what the Baker Boyz or anyone else says. If he draws down---in his mind, his legacy is dust.
Barring tremendous political leadership by, well, our political leaders we aren't leaving. Leaving is losing. Bush has made this clear.
