Ok, I realize this is turning into a one-track blog. And I'm trying to turn my attention to other things, really I am. But this 'Map' thing keeps coming up. That's probably because I really do think this is a potential disaster of major proportions, but I've thought that before about other things and been wrong. I keep trying to remember that and, when I do, it keeps me from sinking into deep despair. Or something like that.
Anyway, I've been thinking about that comment by the "congressional source close to the administration" I posted earlier. You know, the one where he/she says that the White House "sees the roadmap as a major element toward the reelection of the president."
Something's wrong with this picture. I've spent some time reviewing articles and essays on this "Roadmap" published over the past few months and a couple of things stand out. First, a lot of pro-Israel pundits and politicians were predicting as far back as February that once Iraq was liberated, Israel was going to get screwed. Second, most of them expressed concern over the effect that development would likely have on Bush's chances for reelection. It seems to me that great gobs of the President's electoral base aren't at all happy with the 'Map.' And I'd venture to say that the 'Map' is also unlikely to win him many new votes from the Left. So how exactly is the 'Map' supposed to help his numbers in the 2004 Presidential election? I don't see it.
Yes it's true that there are no other tenable choices. But there weren't in '92, either, when Bush's daddy managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Whatever this is about, it's not about the election. So someone is playing a smoke and mirrors game here. Not that I could tell you exactly who or why, but it does have a State Dept. stink all over it.
