Second, it is a transparent attempt to reduce the threat of the publics growing distaste for him and his Iraq.

Third, he has not found a sensible way out of Iraq in a year. All that would lead to is a civil war and three sub-states. Two of which would be ruled by religious fanatics hell bent on our destruction. Gees, just what we need more terrorists!

The best thing he could do is either retake the towns we have lost or negotiate with the rebels to include them in the elections. As distasteful as both are one or the other needs to be done soon (October) or there is no point having elections in Iraq. Bush is to afraid of the first's high casualty count and the second is not how he thinks at all. It is just to "Ireland" like and takes someone with brains enough to negotiation to our advantage.