Asking for restraint in the public area the minute a war starts is not the way to build public support for an ally PM. That is something we could have and should have done differently. Public statements matter just as much as any "behind the scenes" work, because they can directly impact the support for an operation. We knew full well that Olmert was not Bibi and that the things that influenced his decisions would be different than those that influenced Bibi. While Olmert does lack cajones, it's hard to blame him for wavering somewhat when his best ally is making public statements that are not in his favor. The liberal Israeli press picked up on that and spread it like wildfire to undermine the war effort. Hezbollah and the liberals won today.
Shep is talking about co-exisiting with terrorists...
I have to believe that before this thing started - the US knew exactly how far israel was willing to go. we shaped our support message for them over these past few weeks, knowing that the endgame wasn't going to involve the total devastation of hezbollah. as such, this is how it ends.
now, Olmert may well come out now and blame the US for "stopping him" - to buy him political cover. but its baloney.