It was the loss of the 2006 election that FORCED Bush to come up with a new strategy for the war. Admit it.

"But Bush didn't want to give up..."

Bush had no choice but to escalate. He started the stupid war so how could he pull out? Adding the troops 4 years later that should have been there from day one: yeah, SMART GUY. If he had half a brain and a sac he would have fired Rumsfeld after one year. Instead they both let thousands of soldiers die over 4 years for no other reason than THEY COULDN'T ADMIT THEY WERE WRONG. What unbelievably arrogant assholes. And they ignored the advice of many Generals.

Can you imagine McCain sticking with Rumsfeld for 4 years without changing strategy? Can you imagine Bill Clinton or GHWB allowing a prick like Rumsfeld to fuck up so badly for so long? Hillary or Obama? Not a chance.