[WI Conservative 4 Bush]

I tend to agree with your post. The administration may slip a little in the PR war. But, let's not forget, this is an ACTUAL war. I hate to say it, because it sounds made up, but I was actually thinking today, "What's the rush?" In the past few days, we've been able to take out portions of the RG simply by staying in place. I'm also not convinced that the enemy has all it's marbles upstairs when it comes to a protracted war plan.

Remember, everyone concedes that the key to this whole conflict will come down to the Battle for Baghdad. Does it make sense to bet all our chips presently, on the heels of making an historic push into this country, at the same time meeting sporadic resistance? I agree with the administration that it might be appropriate to soften them up a little more, make some Iraqi fence-sitters sweat it out a bit, and re-juice our guys/gals.

Decisive victories carry some significance, I understand. However, based on the intensity of the past week, I'm not sure I'm ready, from a battle perspective, for the risks of simply marching straight on in. We as a country made a decision from the beginning to try to liberate these people. In a sense, we're trying to protect them, so that they can experience the freedom that will come with victory.

I've not ruled out the ruse theory, either...

GOD Bless America!

[merrin]

I agree. Given the situation on the ground now, the decision whether to pause has to made on military grounds.

At this point, the political stuff is so much hindsight.

[TheLion]

Add to that...the Iraqi troops are not supplied very well from what I have read. A few days will make a difference there.

We will have another 100,000 troops in theater within a few weeks with a few thousand arriving daily. I heard mention of the armored division in Germany being brought in also.

[Dolphy]

There is no hurry, the pause may make sense, probably for reasons that won't be revealed. But is this something that would be announced?