Iraq handover likely to be low-key

[Cocoa]

http://www.trivalleyherald.com/Stories/0,1413,86~10669~2232015,00.html

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has a penchant for the grand gesture. Thirteen months ago, he heralded success in Iraq with a made-for-television landing on an aircraft carrier and a nationwide address from the flight deck. But in the coming days, as the United States formally relinquishes control of Iraq, Bush and his top aides will be taking a lower profile, administration officials say.

<snip>

The change in approach illustrates how much the situation in Iraq has shifted from a political benefit into a liability for Bush.

Had the war and occupation gone more smoothly, "I can guarantee that there would be senior American officials taking part," said Robert Perito, an Iraq expert at the United States Institute of Peace, a government-funded nonpartisan think tank. "I think they're really leery of marking occasions in a way that might kick back on them or invite more questions as to why this hasn't worked out."

more...

[Beetwasher]

1. Too Bad! Though I Hope They Can't Resist

going for the big spectacle anyway! That would be great! Mission Accomplished part II!

[Jacobin]

2. Oh, I don't think so. I'm sure there will be plenty of "fireworks"

:-(

[CrispyQ]

3. I hope you're right!!

Americans have such short memories, especially with the whole Reagan week thrown in. Most probably forgot all about June 30. If they don't see it on ABC, they won't even think about it.

[hatrack]

4. Naturally - they're getting control of the dog pound & school bus service

Toss in the meter maids and the sewer plants, and you've got pretty much a photo-op free handover.

[54anickel]

5. Bwahahahaha - the confusion, should Shrub go or not?

snip>
Bush himself will be just a few hours by airplane from Iraq on the day before the transfer, attending a NATO summit in Istanbul, Turkey. There has been considerable speculation that the president might choose to pay a visit to Iraq before heading home, just as he paid a surprise visit to troops in Baghdad at Thanksgiving.

White House aides insist that his schedule calls for him to be in Washington on June 30. But they made similar assurances at Thanksgiving. With Bush already in the region with his security entourage, it would be relatively easy for plans to change at the last minute.

Still, at least for the moment, the consensus inside and outside the White House appears to be that Bush is better off staying away from Iraq.

"We really have not spent very much time thinking about it," the senior White House official said. :eyes:

I'll bet that's all they've been thinking about! How to get the most mileage out if this whole farce!!!!

[CharlesGroce]

6. Low-key indeed...

Gee I thought they would have a parade through the streets of Bagdad, celebrating their freedom at last. </MediaFilter>

[gratuitous]

7. In fact, it will be so low key

That most observers won't even be able to tell the difference between full sovereignty for Iraq and the continuing occupation by a hostile armed force.