Bobert:

"One reason that Senior didn't "finish the job" was because it was that portion of the job that is the most daunting."

The main reason "Senior" didn't "finish the job" (Which I take to mean removing Saddam Hussein from power) was that the "job" as you put it, at that time, was to liberate Kuwait - I believe he did do it.

Your nightmare scenario of Saddam "luring" the US into Baghdad - assumes that the entire Iraqi population think that he (Saddam) is a damn fine chap, salt of the earth, man of the people, benefactor to all. That's why he has surrounded himself with a two layered Praetorian Guard and spends his time hid away in his eight Presidential Palaces living in luxiary while his people starve.

The same was predicted with regard to popular public support for the Taliban in Afghanistan - it didn't happen, people couldn't get shot of them fast enough. The same will hold true for Saddam's regime.