I go more for the Bush "strategery" angle. The world is now littered with Dems and others who woo the day they misunderstimated Bush because they didn't pay attention. World opionion ran off in one completely wrong direction while GWB was getting his ducks in a row. What some saw as Condi's inconsistent behavior, I suspected was a decoy, a classic delaying tactic.
When will they learn that GWB doesn't give a fig what they say about him? He keeps his eye on the prize. He saw the "opportunity" side of this while everyone else was yelling "ceasefire!".
I believe you mean "rue the day" but other than that, I agree with you!