"Mr. BushÕs capacity for denial is limitless. Perhaps he believes that the next president will continue this misadventure without any end in mind, let alone in sight. Even then he owes it to his successor to use his remaining nine months in office to try to address IraqÕs myriad problems. That will not excuse Mr. BushÕs serial failures. But it may increase the chances for the inevitable withdrawal to be as orderly as possible.

Mr. Bush has all the time he needs, but IraqÕs suffering civilians do not, and neither do its masses of refugees, the bloodied and strained United States armed forces, or the American public."


NYT Editorial
4-12-08