President Bush doesn't like to be graded

But I mean, come on! Who likes to be graded? I don't. Grades suck.

So when someone like Senator Russ Feingold suggests that President Bush and his administration come up with plan to leave Iraq at some point in the future; well, President Bush doesn't cotton to such a plan.

A military timetable won't solve all our problems in Iraq, nor will it signify American disengagement from that country. Intense American diplomatic and political efforts will likely be needed long after the troops' mission is accomplished and they are withdrawn. I expect that we will also continue military and security cooperation with the Iraqis, as we work with them and with others around the world to combat terrorist networks.

But a flexible, realistic timetable could undercut the insurgency that rages in Iraq, an insurgency that thrives on conspiracy theories and suspicions regarding American intentions. A timetable would also encourage Iraqi ownership of their country's political process, moving Iraqis toward real political independence by making it clear that the U.S. will not be there indefinitely. Finally, a timetable would enable us to devote more resources to the most pressing national security issue we face -- combating the global terrorist networks that continue to threaten this country.

Well, yes, but if you set a time table; people would be able to judge how the war in Iraq is going, and that would be a major downer. It would suck. You'd presumably have to actually meet the goals of such a timetable.

But of course you don't want to look like you are afraid of failing; so what is the best way to defuse this situation? Pretend like the timetable is will require US troops to pull out before the mission is done. Clever. Paint imaginary scenarios and then make fun of them.

"Sarge, the Insurgents just blew the hell out of that gas station. We should go fight them."

"Sorry son. The timetable says that it's time to go, so we have to abandon them to their fate."

See how ridiculous that situation is? Of course that's not even close to what Feingold is proposing; but let's pretend it is. Then we can attack the ridiculous scenario we invented as ridiculous, and Feingold gets the blame.

You might think this sounds far-fetched. You should try listening to Rush Limbaugh sometime if you do.