Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[Tom K]

The notion that the Bush Administration hasn't given serious thought to what would happen in the aftermath of an post-Saddam Iraq is silly. The discussion has been on the table in diplomatic/policy circles since 1990 - if not earlier. The thought that Bush woke up last week and said "Geez, what are the possible implications of this action" is simply nonsense.

Whether you choose to believe it or not, Bush is surrounded by some incredibly smart people. I disagree with your assertion that the administration believed that war with Iraq would be a domestic political coup. Everyone should have learned the lesson 12 years ago - this type of political capital evaporates rapidly. Churchill learned the same lesson.