GB1 had an easier job because Saddam was occupying a foreign country threatening the interests of many counties. Most Arabs couldn't focus their Palestinian based anger on the US with claims of Muslim bias under such circumstances. Even so some did make such claims. It's no surprise these claims are louder this time. Still I have never been prouder of a president than I was of Bush putting together the coalition. It was a tough job and he did it. He would probably have had my vote a second time if he had not flubbed the aftermath so badly. His economic failures would have balanced Clinton's questionable foreign policy ability in my mind if I had remained convinced of Bush's foreign policy acumen.

GB2's failure was almost inevitable in my view given the circumstances. It was hard enough the first time around. France's insistance on viewing every discovery of Iraqi failure of complience as victories of inspection rather than the obvious pattern it was and refusal to set deadlines made it obvious no diplomatic endgame was available.

Regards,
Mark