[Yardstick]

Probably to make sure there was an agreement in place during the transition between US administrations and to put a framework in place for the new administration to work with. In other words, Bush was making a responsible exit.

[Alberta's Child]

Right. So it's "responsible" to sign a legally binding agreement with a foreign nation, even while you think it would have to be renegotiated later.

Read the SOFA from start to finish. It's not a "framework" at all. It's longer than the original U.S. Constitution, for heaven's sake.