Fool's Paradise

One of Andrew Sullivan's readers wrote him recently:

While I'm tempted to regret my 2004 Bush vote for many reasons, ranging from economic to civil libertarian to the way Iraq has been handled, the deteriorating Iranian situation has been a good reminder why, upon reconsideration, I am happy I voted for Bush. ...Iran's pursuit of the Bomb is THE most critical moment in this struggle. For this reason - and perhaps, for only this reason - I'm glad Bush is the decision maker instead of the spineless and pathetic John Kerry.

It seems to me the reader contradicts himself. On the one hand he says he regrets his vote for Bush because of "the way Iraq has been handled," but on the other he'd rather have him at the helm should things lead to war with Iran.

The administration thought Iraq was supposed to be easy. But from the start it was poorly planned, badly executed, and the follow through has been a complete and utter failure. As a result, several prominent retired military members are calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Yet, with things falling apart, the President stands by his man.

With Iraq and America's credibility in tatters, what on Earth would make anyone think that George W. Bush is the right man for the job when it comes to Iran?