YOU SAID..."I believe that "limited nuclear exchange" isn't on our list of tolarable things."
Absolutely it was not in the past.
I cant see Bush opting for such a scenario in the present timeframe.
I could see Hillary or a Kerry clone going there however in the future.
I think everyone assumed in the past with MAD that both sides had rational men who controlled the missles, and that basic principles of national sovereignty or even national honor would not be compromised.
"I cant see Bush opting for such a scenario in the present timeframe"
Actually I doubt it a bit as well. Leadership is dead, culturally.