Mr. Bush in the Library

Mr. Bush in the Library –updated–

The setting couldn\’t be sillier. It\’s George W. Bush from the Library talking
about escalation in Iraq.

As for the Democratic idea of a symbolic non-binding resolution, Turley talking
to Keith tonight said it plainly. It\’s \”insulting and ridiculous.\”
It\’s a way of trying to show you\’re doing something, without doing anything.
And I thought I was harsh this morning. UPDATE: Video of Turley talking to Keith on the constitutional issues involved in Congress trying to stop the president.

But here it is, \”The New Way Forward In Iraq.\” That\’s a
quote from the \”Office of the Press Secretary,\” compliments of leaks
galore. It\’s
finally online so go take a peek. Marshall
has more. The graphic I was emailed
earlier today is much better than his. Nya-nya.

Of course, Bill O\’Reilly is obsessing on his brawl with MSNBC. Evidently, Bill-O
doesn\’t understand that facts don\’t have sides.

Oh, and no doubt you heard about McCain earlier today saying that he thinks
Iraq was \”easy.\” Steve
has it right: everything after May 2008 doesn\’t count. I taped it and
covered it on my radio show (podcasts below).

Via one of those White House leaks, we learn that part of Mr. Bush\’s plan is
\”demobilization program for militias.\” Does that include preparing
for what happens after Maliki
falls? Doubtful, because consequences aren\’t the president\’s strong suit.

Bottom line: We\’ve heard it all before. I covered it all today on my show today.

OPENER: Light News, Trump-Rosie-Babs, and the Royal Engagement Lighter News (cont.)… then Democratic Symbolism on \’The Surge\’ Leaked Bush (cont.), and McCain says Iraq is \’EASY\’ Richard Engel and Military Talk, & the Disaster Awaiting the U.S. & Maliki Engel on Maliki Falling (cont.)… Iraq (cont.) Iraq, and Soldiers Speak about Reality

Never mind that \”the surge,\” is already happening.

President Bush\’s speech may be scheduled for tonight, but the troop surge in Iraq is already under way. ABC News has learned that the \”surge\” Bush is expected to announce in a prime time speech tonight has already begun. Ninety advance troops from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Baghdad Wednesday. An additional battalion of roughly 800 troops from the same division are expected to arrive in Baghdad Thursday. Eighty percent of the sectarian violence occurs within a 30-mile radius of Baghdad, so that is where most of the additional troops will be concentrated. It is the first small wave of troops in a new White House strategy that is expected to put more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq and likely require new call-ups of the National Guard. Troop Surge Already Under Way

The McCain Doctrine is in play.

UPDATE (7:00 p.m.): After Bush\’s reference to Iran in the speech, at least we know why Admiral Fallon was given Abizaid\’s job. Hello, Iran. Get ready, people. Something\’s coming.

UPDATE (6:27 p.m.): Speaker Pelosi\’s statement. Howard Dean\’s is below.

\”By choosing to escalate the crisis in Iraq, President Bush continues to ignore the lessons of history, ignore the advice of military experts, ignore the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and the will of the American people. The President\’s plan will not make Americamore secure. It puts more American troops in the middle of a civil war and a situation reminiscent of Vietnam. Democrats in Congress have made it clear that they fully support our brave troops in combat, but will also hold the President accountable for a new direction in Iraq that turns the country over to the Iraqis and allows for our troops to come home. Our troops have already sacrificed enough for the President\’s mistakes.\”