The Perfect Replacement for Rove

In a reality-based world, as opposed to the one with Two Suns, and Two Sons, that the modern GOP inhabits, Ahmed Chalabi would be arrested the moment he set foot on the Dulles tarmac.

But, of course, he will not be.

Politically savvy and a sharp dresser with a perpetual grin, Ahmad Chalabi has gone from Washington insider, to alleged Iranian spy, to someone the Bush administration cannot afford to ignore — all in the space of two years.

Chalabi, a deputy prime minister, plans to travel this month to Washington to refurbish a reputation tainted by the since-discredited claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. At home, Chalabi has quit a Shiite political alliance criticized for its strong ties to Iran.

All this points to one thing: Chalabi is maneuvering to become Iraq's next prime minister after elections in less than two months.

So the Richard Perle "fun tour" is coming back again.

Great.