Russia and China have already announced they intend to veto.
Really? I hadn't heard that. Even if true, I still hold by my original analysis. Vetoing a Security Council Resolution in favor of US military action would run counter to their strategic interests. China, especially, is dependent on goodwill in the US Congress. Were they to exercise their veto, that goodwill would vanish and they'd be screwed. Russia, conceivably, could veto the effort, especially given their current relations with Saddam, but Pooty-Poot's relationship with Bush would be shot, and I imagine the favor of the United States is a little more important to them than the favor of Baghdad.
OK, so we announce the UN is now irrelevant and don't bother to ask
We're going to need to go in by sometime in October at the latest. The anticipation is not good for the economy or the stock market. This could be a more important factor in Bush's war planning than the weather, phase of moon, or whether the Euro-weenies are going to support us.
A war happening after the November elections will have people staying away from malls during the peak Christmas shopping time -- which will give the economy a bullet through the head. The war needs to be successfully completed with Sadaam's head on a pike, and all the Islamofascists scurrying for holes to hide in, by November.