100 Years in Iraq, John McSame?

Not according to the Prime Minister of Iraq, who wants U.S. troops out in the same 16 month time frame that Barack Obama has mentioned.

It probably doesn't help McCain's campaign any that the Bush Administration has "accidentally" helped to publicize this story. If the unofficial slogan of the Bush Administration is "the Stupid, It Burns, It Burns," one wonders if there is anyone left in the West Wing who hasn't been roasted into "extra crispy."

So, if our ally, the Iraqis, want us our of their country, where does that leave the Bush Administration and John McCain's campaign? If they say anything at all other than "OK, we're leaving, roger, out," then they call into question whether Iraq is truly sovereign. If they quibble, then they are implicitly stating: "Fuck you, we occupy your country, we call the shots" and the real winner is going to be the insurgency, which will probably wind up getting a lot more support from the Iraqis themselves.

In other news, in a statement that can only be described as "whining," Phil Graham, the co-chairman of the McCain Campaign (and one of the originators of the current mortgage meltdown) is stepping down as campaign co-chair. "You're paying attention to what I said." Graham whined: "That is just so unfair and mean!"