Spinning the State of the Union
The American Prospect
by Robert Kuttner
01/30/06
How do you give an upbeat State of the Union address when your major foreign policy, Iraq, is a quagmire; your signature domestic program, Medicare drugs, is a bomb; and nearly two thirds of Americans, according to the latest Gallup Poll, think the country is worse off than five years ago? Here are a few things to watch for in President Bush's first big election-year speech Tuesday: Mission Accomplished? On Iraq, look for rhetoric of steady resolve, coupled with promises to limit American exposure. Bush could offer a partial reduction of US combat troops during 2006 (in time for the mid-term election) -- but without any realistic prospect of a stable Iraqi government to fill the vacuum. One idea: a 'garrison strategy' of keeping most US forces safely inside bases. This might cut American combat losses, but cede the countryside to guerrilla fighters and anarchy...
http://www.prospect.org/web/view-web.ww?id=10972
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
by Robert Kuttner
01/30/06
How do you give an upbeat State of the Union address when your major foreign policy, Iraq, is a quagmire; your signature domestic program, Medicare drugs, is a bomb; and nearly two thirds of Americans, according to the latest Gallup Poll, think the country is worse off than five years ago? Here are a few things to watch for in President Bush's first big election-year speech Tuesday: Mission Accomplished? On Iraq, look for rhetoric of steady resolve, coupled with promises to limit American exposure. Bush could offer a partial reduction of US combat troops during 2006 (in time for the mid-term election) -- but without any realistic prospect of a stable Iraqi government to fill the vacuum. One idea: a 'garrison strategy' of keeping most US forces safely inside bases. This might cut American combat losses, but cede the countryside to guerrilla fighters and anarchy...
http://www.prospect.org/web/view-web.ww?id=10972
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
rudkla - 31. Jan, 18:55
