We can't afford to blow this June 30 thing.
Despite the emphasis the President is placing on the transfer of authority to an interim Iraqi government, it seems, after much discussion, that its authority won't be more than nominal- at least for the seven months leading up to the Iraqi election.
This is a mistake- and perhaps a major one. It will mean that the transfer of power will probably have little political impact either in the United States or in Iraq- and may end up costing President Bush his one chance to turn perceptions about Iraq decisively around before November 2.
I understand the risks. But until the Iraqi people are given the final say in the affairs of their country, it will be hard for them to see us as liberators rather than as occupiers. And unless they see us as liberators, it's hard to see things stablizing
as throughly as I had hoped before Election Day.
A Kerry presidency would be even more risky to the security of Iraq and the United States alike.
This is a mistake- and perhaps a major one. It will mean that the transfer of power will probably have little political impact either in the United States or in Iraq- and may end up costing President Bush his one chance to turn perceptions about Iraq decisively around before November 2.
I understand the risks. But until the Iraqi people are given the final say in the affairs of their country, it will be hard for them to see us as liberators rather than as occupiers. And unless they see us as liberators, it's hard to see things stablizing
as throughly as I had hoped before Election Day.
A Kerry presidency would be even more risky to the security of Iraq and the United States alike.
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