Seems to me, the increasing nervousness among Republican Congressfolk, and their willingness to undercut Bush's policy by passing legislation carping at him (while he's out of the country yet), is most likely traceable to media reports of decreasing public support of the war. Which dwindling support, even if the reports of same are not slanted in themselves, is most likely the result of slanted reporting of what's happening in Iraq -- failure to mention Iraqi attitudes and Iraqi or American accomplishments that might give U.S. readers some hope that things are working out. So by selective and sometimes misleading reporting about Iraq, the press has managed to reduce even passive home-front support for our military/political operations there, and then has milked that decrease in popular support for all it's worth (or more) so as to undercut Congressional support.
Which I find disturbing.
Which does not mean I'm always critical of critical press re Iraq. I'm somewhat conflicted about the Post's scoop re secret CIA detention centers. I wish I knew more about whether the interrogation tactics they're using there are actually at all helpful in obtaining critical information on Islam jihadist plans, locations and tactics. Then I'd at least know whether the questions -- is the existence of these places disgraceful, and was the Post justified in reporting about them -- are easy or hard.
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Part of the problem lies with Bush. As you know, I consider him a geopolitical genius - Churchillian in his ability to see the long term threat of Islamofascism and how to address it. Unfortunately, Bush has been largely unable to make the case for his "Doctrine", as I noted in this blog entry.
Bush lacks Churchill's rhetorical skills and FDR's ability (or willingness) to speak directly to the people to explain WHY we're following "the Bush Doctrine." He's belatedly started to respond to critics but they've been active and increasingly effective for almost two years precisely because Bush has been silent.
Karl Rove has been generally credited, especially by critics, with being the "genius" behind Bush - even "Bush's Brain". I think the reality is just the opposite. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush's apparent reluctance to explain himself and conduct regular - say monthly - national briefings about the war to the public on TV is Rove's doing: "stay above the battle, Mr. President." If I'm right, this is just plain stupid advice.
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