[Texasforever]

If George W. Bush had known in May 2003 that there was any chance in hell that the events in Iraq of the last 12 months would unfold as they have, do you think he would have even dreamed of that silly "Mission Accomplished" act on the deck of the aircraft carrier?

Yes. They had toppled the Saddam regime and did it in 3 weeks. If he had made the statement on the carrier deck that all troops would be leaving Iraq immediately then you would have a point. Look up that speech.

[churchillbuff]

They had toppled the Saddam regime and did it in 3 weeks.

He said major fighting was over. Obviously it wasn't then and isn't today. If you think otherwise, tell it to the families of the five or so US military who are killed each week.

[Alberta's Child]

I didn't ask what he said in that speech. I'm asking about the political ramifications of it -- particularly in light of the fact that the U.S. casualty count after the end of major combat has far exceeded the casualty count while the "war" was going on.