I agree that you've identified Bush's poker strategy. And I agree that if the courts cooperate, it was a brilliant move. I hardly think though that McCain was 'workig with GWB' at all. He's a punk who just got his CFR shoved down his throat.
What happenned to the call that he should say - Not over my dead body will they curtail your free speech!" -- President George "Dubya" Bush (what he should say re: CFR)
Let's face it, he should have vetoed it. He's still better than Democrats but he wooosed out on this.