Bush Doesn't Get It

President Bush met with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, one of America’s strongest allies in Iraq. In an effort to reassure the Prime Minister of our intentions for Iraq, Mr. Bush offered his own interpretation of the U.S. elections that overturned Republican control of Congress and the clear message of the electorate’s disapproval of the war and the direction it has taken. After all, the president’s approval rating, mostly thanks to the Iraqi war, is now at an all time low of 31%.

He stated that, “The elections mean the American people want to know if we have a plan for success. I assured John (Howard) that repositioning of troops—if that’s what we choose to do—will be done with close consultation with him and his government. But I also assured him that we’re not leaving until this job is done—until Iraq can govern, sustain and defend itself.”

"Govern, sustain and defend itself?"

Evidently Mr. Bush learned absolutely nothing from the November 7th elections, and although he claims differently now, he is still “staying the course.” He just doesn’t get it. Is this his new governing by consensus and his offer of working with the new Congress in an atmosphere of bipartisanship?