The End Game

Originally posted at UNCoRRELATED

There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit- General George C. Marshall

Reuters is reporting the “Iraq Study Group has decided to recommend the U.S. military transition from a combat to a support role in Iraq roughly over the next year”:

"The main thing is (the group is) calling for a transition from a combat role to a support role," said the source, who spoke on condition that he not be named. "It's basically a redeployment." The source said the idea was to shift U.S. combat forces both to bases inside Iraq as well as elsewhere in the region as the military gradually moved away from combat operations, adding that this should happen over the next year or so.

Sounds like the original plan. Except it doesn’t have the twin lightning rods of Bush and Rumsfeld saying it. These two men have been more or less focused on the end game in Iraq and as long as the work is getting done they don't clamor for the credit. I believe that was the impetus for Bush accepting Rumsfeld's resignation after the Republicans lost both houses in congress. You think Rumsfeld and the administration would be able to focus on the mission with one committee after another trying to haul Rumsfeld before their kangaroo courts?

This type of principled focus is something the Congressional Republicans need to learn. When they heard of Rumsfeld’s resignation, after the election, their “me first” attitude got the better of them as they howled “If the president had decided to replace Secretary Rumsfeld he should have told us two weeks ago”. No, that would have been throwing a trusted advisor under the bus for a short term gain. Instead, Rumsfeld leaves after the election when it becomes apparent his effectiveness to achieve the goals in Iraq will be greatly diminished.

UPDATE: Greyhawk states the Iraq Study Group has done a 360 degree about face. (h/t Instapundit)