No Light in the Tunnel

Hope and fear are always the polar forces at work in American politics and this Texas-macho President has brilliantly orchestrated the nation's fear of terrorism into a winning position. Support him, he will protect us, take the fight to the treacherous enemies and crush them. He has reminded us relentlessly of what we most fear. For many, it felt reassuring to hear his resolve. But the brave-cowboy act is over. He failed himself yesterday in the White House press room.

George W. Bush called the press conference to sell hope--give people a reason to keep on believing--but trampled his own objective. Instead, he deepened the public's fear--not of Muslim terrorists--but of his own leadership at war. Does this guy know what he's doing? He got us into this mess; does he know how to get us out?

A fatal admission was revealed when Bush was asked whether he could envision a day when US troops were out of Iraq. The President shrugged, as though the question does not apply to him. "That'll be decided," Bush said, "by future presidents and future governments of Iraq."

I was flabbergasted when Bush pushed responsibility for clearing up his own mess on to his successor. Republican or Democrat. Nobody deserves to inherit the bloody mess that is Iraq.

So, for all his swagger, for all his strutting machismo nonsense; yesterday Bush admitted that he doesn't know what to do next.

Read the article here.