Changing stances on Iraq. Yet again.

“My point is the elections in January are just the beginning of a process, and it’s important for the American people to understand that.” - President Bush explaining how the Iraqi election has to be understood. NY Times

I have a question. Was this a “beginning of a process” as well, or just a cheap photo-op while he new the operation was far from over?

Even back then I said it was a photo-op. (And the editorial I wrote about that event was picked up The New York Times. entry) Now even more than back then I am convinced it was all a staged hoax to “mislead” the american public. Either that or the president and his entire brain trust did evaluate the situation in Iraq completely wrong. Both scenarios do not put the Bush presidency into a good light, to say the least.

It’s also interesting that about a month and a half ago, when the election was still looming the Bush administration was promising elections in Iraq come hell or high water. Now they already moved the election back to January 31 (conveniently after Bush’s inauguration) and do not seem so sure anymore.