COMMISSIONS COME AND GO, THE PRESIDENT REMAINS:

War Critics See New Resistance by Bush (JIM RUTENBERG, 12/26/06, NY Times)

In a way, this is the president being the president he has always been — while he still can.

With Congress out of session, Mr. Bush has sought to reassert his relevance and show yet again that he can chart his own course against all prevailing winds, whether they be unfavorable election returns, a record-low standing in the polls or the public prescriptions of Washington wise men.

He has at least for now put the Iraq war debate on terms with which he is said to be more comfortable, if only because they are not the terms imposed on him by Democrats and the study group.

The President is only secondary to the Iraqis themselves.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 26, 2006 9:15 AM