Defining Cynical

Bill Quick:

Bush was planning on skedaddling from Iraq before 2008 anyway, since it has long been obvious that Iraq cannot be pacified without taking on Iran and Syrian, and Bush, for whatever reason, has no intention of doing so.

Now come the Democrats bearing gifts on silver platters. I expect that Bush is pushing a surge because he knows it will inflame and harden Democratic opposition, and as a result the Democrats will force Bush (kicking and screaming, oh my) into withdrawing from Iraq. Bush will end up with what he wants - Iraq no longer hung around the Republican Party’s neck like a rotting albatross going into 2008 - but the disaster in Iraq that will follow withdrawal will instead be hung around the Democratic party’s neck.

Like a noose.

Which will all be well and good, except for the disastrous medium and long term consequences for the United States itself.

That's just beyond dark. Though he at least takes a stab at what keeps the President from dealing bluntly with Syria and Iran.