×
CROSSED SIGNALS. The Bush administration had better gets its story straight on how harmful timetables are for Iraqi morale because, speaking as a credulous American citizen, I'm getting confused:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday affirmed a core element of war critics' strategy -- that the prospect of redeployment offers our best tool for motivating the Iraqi government. Speaking during a Middle East tour, Gates said the debate in Congress "has been helpful in demonstrating to the Iraqis that American patience is limited. The strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetable probably has had a positive impact...in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment." Last year, Bush sent the exact opposite message to Americans. "Artificial timetable for withdrawal sends the wrong message to the Iraqis, they're seeing it's not worth it," Bush said. "Artificial timetable for withdrawal...sends the message to the enemy, we were right about America. That's what they said. Al Qaeda has said it's just a matter of time before America withdraws. They're weak, they're corrupt, they can't stand it, and they'll withdraw. And all that would do is confirm what the enemy thinks." Likewise, just last week, Vice President Cheney said setting a timeline "sends a message to our enemies that the calendar is their friend, that all they have to do is wait us out -- wait for the date certain, and then claim victory the day after."So, which is it?--Ezra Klein
