[Negotiator]

I have two observations.

1) Even a broken clock is right twice a day. It's possible Bush after much analysis and discussion came to the conclusion that this was in the best interests of the United States and Iraq. It could be he just lucked out. Since there's no answer sheet, there's no way to tell. Given his track record and personal stances you can infer either conclusion.

2) In either result, a man with no appreciable military experience told two Joint Chiefs and the Senior Coalition Commander in Iraq, guys with over 100 years of service between them, "I know how to do your jobs better than you do." That sounds like more balls than brains to me. It's like John L. Smith getting a touchdown with a draw play on 3rd and 25: You may have gotten the outcome you wanted, but a dumb call is a dumb call.