[Howlin]

Chirac came on TV and announced this himself.

I suspect we just might have the votes.

[Cap Huff]

If so, great. This could result in best case scenario under the circumstances. Nine votes yes, we can claim a moral victory, so to speak. France casts a veto and sinks the U.N. We go anyway into Iraq and rid ourselves of that mess. I am sick of all the nonsense going on in the U.N., but we're in the swamp now, and this might be a good way out.

[Southack]

"Chirac came on TV and announced this himself. I suspect we just might have the votes."

Precisely. Powell must have gotten enough votes for this to pass, thus France is now playing its last card in an attempt to get some more "No" votes.

[Right Wing Professor]

I suspect we just might have the votes.

Indeed. And I think this will backfire on the French. As was pointed out in this morning's NRO, Mexico and Chile and the other elected members can now vote for it, avoid angering the US, and be able to avoid the political consequences of supporting a successful resolution. Or the US can now take it off the table, claiming the French were going to stymie a resolution that had the 9 votes it needed, and go to war anyway. France's position was a lot stronger before they showed their hand. This has to be a desperation move on their part, and I can't see it working.