Opposition would be costly

Good thing we're keeping our mouth shut.

President Bush plans to ask Congress next month for up to $50 billion in additional funding for the war in Iraq, a White House official said yesterday, a move that appears to reflect increasing administration confidence that it can fend off congressional calls for a rapid drawdown of U.S. forces.

The Democrats have been so resolute in fighting the madness of this administration tooth and nail! Why the sudden change of heart?

The request is being prepared now in the belief that Congress will be unlikely to balk so soon after hearing the two officials argue that there are promising developments in Iraq but that they need more time to solidify the progress that they have made, a congressional aide said.

Ah, now it's as clear and sparkling as the finest European crystal. After years and years of administration mouthpieces saying nothing like this whatsoever, speaking only the truth of the daily horrors our troops and the poor Iraqi citizens face from the well-organized monolith that is Al-Qaeda, the extreme shock to the system of finally turning a corner has effectively paralyzed the Democrats. Well played, Fate!

But what's with Bush failing to obfuscate in that special Texan way of his?

In a speech yesterday to the convention of the American Legion in Reno, Nev., Bush gave an optimistic assessment of recent events in the war, now in its fifth year. "There are unmistakable signs that our strategy is achieving the objectives we set out," he said.

There sure are.