PRESIDENT BUSH NEEDS TO WRITE FOUR LETTERS

Seeing President Bush's worst speech of his Presidency last night, reminded me of a famous story or fable that has been told many times. I have heard it told about Roman Caesars, Popes, Kings and Russian Presidents, amoung others. Regradless of who you tell it about, it is perfectly fitting for President Bush as he finds himself in a politcal quagmire of his own doing...

The story goes that an outgoing politcal leader was turning over his power to the new leader, (in this case we will use Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev of the former Soviet Union). As he turned over power, Khrushchev also handed Brezhnev four letters. He told him to open the four letters in order, one for each time that Brezhnev found himself in a predicament that he could not get out of.
After a short time, Brezhnev found himself in his first predicament, so he opened the first letter. The letter said, "Blame me." So Brezhnev blamed Khrushchev for all of the countries problems and the people bought it. The predicament was solved. Soon he found himself in a new tougher predicament, so he opened the second letter. It said, "Blame the opposition." So Brezhnev blamed all of his critics and the people bought, predicament resolved.
He found himself in a third predicament, and opened the third letter. It said, "Blame the media." Brezhnev did just that, the people bought it, no more predicament. Eventually he found himself in a fourth predicament, so he opened the fourth letter. It said, "Sit down, write four letters."
I think it is clear that it is time for Bush to sit down and write four letters.

MACHIAVELLIAN IRAQ

It pains me to even approach a war, especially one as horrific as our current one in Iraq, with a Machiavellian view, but I feel it is necessary. Probably the biggest difference between Democrats and Republicans in my lifetime, is that the Republicans view everything as Machiavelli would, while the Democrats only seem to do so when it can embarrass them. I have reluctantly concluded that if the Democrats wish to build on or even just maintain the power that they have just acquired, they must start being more Machiavellian, especially on big issues like the Iraq war. So with an ache in my heart, I hesitantly would like to give my Machiavellian analysis of President Bush’s request for an escalation of troops over in the Iraq.

First let me state the obvious. This escalation is nothing more than a political ploy by Bush to give the appearance that he has done everything possible to “win” this war before finally signaling for a reduction in troops and eventually a complete withdrawal. This is about as immoral a military strategy as a military strategy can be. Sending more brave men and women into harms way, just so you can cover your own ass politically. A true act of a coward.
So morally, it would be imperative that the Democrats do everything in their power to stop this escalation, which is the precise stance that Barack Obama has taken. On the Senate floor he stated that he would do everything in his power to block it. Ted Kennedy, the moral touchstone of the Democratic party, has introduced legislation that would require congressional approval of any increase in the troops in Iraq.
Morally, these are the correct steps to be taken, but I fear that the best political move requires that the Democrats not stop this escalation, that more troops are sent to Iraq. Here is my reasoning.
I believe that in 2008, the number one issue on voters minds will be Iraq, and the presidential candidate that can provide a solution to ending the war will win overwhelmingly. If the Democrats are successful in blocking this escalation, then President Bush, and the few allies he has left, will be able to claim that the Iraq war could have been won, if only he was able to put more troops in. If you think that this is insane talk, just realize that there are still many conservatives that believe that we could have won in Vietnam if only given a few more years.
What is important politically is that one of these people will be John McCain. Blocking this escalation give McCain an out, a plank to run on. “I was right, we could have achieved victory in Iraq, if the Democrats had not blocked the escalation.” Who knows who will buy this, but from a Machiavellian view point, why give it to him?
Especially when, if the Democrats do not block the escalation, then McCani is really in a difficult position. For if it is not blocked, and as nearly every military expert has predicted, it does not help matters in Iraq, then McCain’s credibility in Iraq is shattered. More importantly, it emboldens the Democratic candidates. They can argue that they tried to stop the escalation, but couldn’t, because of President Bush. Therefore, the only way for this country to do what is right in Iraq, is to have the Congress and the President on the same page, ergo, a Democratic President.
So while not blocking this escalation means more Americans being put in harms way, it will help the Democrats win control of the White House in 2008. As I stated earlier, one of the most immoral stances to take, but one of the most Machiavellian as well.