Do not confuse the workings of American democracy with a lack of American will

Bush has said a couple of times this week, including in his weekly radio address, “I have a message for these enemies: Do not confuse the workings of American democracy with a lack of American will.” Now who would have given them the idea that a Democratic win was a sign of a lack of American will?

But what of the workings of Iraqi democracy? Remember how Iraq’s elections were followed by months and months of negotiations to form a government? Maliki thinks it’s time for a cabinet reshuffle.

The neocon retreat from the Iraq war comes with a lesson, according to Kenneth Adelman in that Vanity Fair article: “the idea of using our power for moral good in the world” is dead. Yes, that’s it, we’ve been too idealistic, really just too good and kind and decent for this wicked world, and it’s time to start looking out for number one.

Next time we go to war, we’re gettin’ us some oil, baby!