Posted on 03/14/2010 8:54:34 AM PDT by nuconvert
Before Iraq's first election in January 2005, the Bush administration debated whether to support any particular candidate. The Central Intelligence Agency wanted to funnel $20 million to its longtime favorite Ayad Allawi, who was then serving as prime minister in a U.S.-appointed government. But Condoleezza Rice, President Bush's top foreign policy adviser, argued that the U.S. should create a level playing-field and let the chips fall where they may.
Ms. Rice won the day. And so did the United Iraqi Alliance, an alliance of Shiite parties led first by Ibrahim Jaafari and, after subsequent elections that year, by Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's current prime minister.
Mr. Allawi failed to break double-digits in the December 2005 election. He was bitter. "Our adversaries in Iraq are heavily supported financially by other quarters. We are not," he later told CNN's Wolf Blitzer as insurgency raged. He failed to mention the millions of dollars funneled to him by Saddam's former allies in Jordan and other Arab states.
In November 2006 the White House reconsidered its neutrality. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley suggested that "Maliki is either ignorant of what is going on, misrepresenting his intentions, or that his capabilities are not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into action," and proposed the U.S. government provide "monetary support to moderate groups" such as Mr. Allawi's. President Bush refused.
President Obama appears less concerned with neutrality. With Messrs. Allawi and Maliki neck and neck as last Sunday's votes are counted, the administration strives to push Mr. Allawi past the goal post. Newspapers quote embassy and administration officials praising Mr. Allawi and badmouthing his opponents. They may believe Mr. Allawi is what he says he is—a secular liberal interested in clean government and reconciliation. But Iraqis remember his record.
(Excerpt) Read more at michaelrubin.org ...
As I recall, ince Hillary became Sec. of State, the State Dept's moniker became "Fatty Bottom".
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