What Was I Just Saying?

From the LA Times:

In a departure from past statements, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said this week that the training of Iraqi troops has advanced so far that the current number of U.S. troops probably will not be needed for much longer.

President Bush will give a major speech Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy in which aides say he is expected to proclaim the improved readiness of Iraqi troops, which he has identified as the key condition for withdrawing U.S. forces.

The administration's pivot on the issue comes at a time when the White House needs to relieve enormous political pressure by war opponents, including liberals, moderates and old-line conservatives who are uneasy with the costly and uncertain nation-building effort.

Riiight. Suddenly, the Iraqi troops are just so much better prepared! Just about ready to take over, no doubt. Uh-hunh. Sure.

We'll just pay no attention, shall we, to General Casey's testimony to Congress at the end of September that there fewer batallions ready than just a few months before? Pay no attention to the James Fallows article in the recent Atlantic Monthly, either, I guess. The magic 'readiness fairy" came and sprinkled pixie dust, or something.

I guess that's the advantage to having vague definitions of what "adequate readiness" is - you can declare success whenever its convenient. Sort of like that "Mission Accomplished" thing. (He must think sailors are pretty gullible.)

Sadly for the Bush team, I think the public and the press aren't willing to swallow such nonsense as eagerly as they used to. While there are probably plenty of people who are willing to let W. say whatever he needs to save face, I don't imagine anyone will believe him. How many will just laugh out loud when he tries to declare the Iraqis are suddenly ready?