Actually, Troll, as far as the Japanese were apparently concerned, the attack was a success. Aircraft carriers weren't widely accepted as premier attack forces as they are today, and at the beginning of hostilities were 'support' carriers for the big guns on battleships and the like - which they very definitely DID get.

Spot on about the response though. From my readings it really sounds like the Japanese command vastly underestimated both the response of the American people, and the ability (and will) of the Navy to salvage as much as they did from Pearl Harbor.

As to giving Bush "credit" though... I'll give him credit for this the moment that Clinton gets full credit for keeping the economy aloft during his administration. I'd say both have as little to do with who sits in the Comfy Chair as does the rainfall in Brazil with how many beans I ate last night.

His continuous attack on environmental issues should prove interesting. After decades of exclusion, the corporations are finally getting their chance to see if unbridled development and exploitation will or will not cause massive harm to the environment...

M