Cut and run

In the news story linked by Champollion below, there is this little detail --

The administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said Bush would estimate the costs for the Iraq war at $50 billion for fiscal year 2009.

That compares with the $170 billion cost for the current year (fiscal 2007). So by his own budget, Bush is telling the insurgents that the troop strength will be slashed beginning in just 18 months (fiscal 2009 begins in October 2008). Remember these are the same insurgents who have a deep understanding of the American political process, for example when they were phoning their friends in the US secure in the knowledge that the government would need a warrant to listen in, and carefully timing their activities to influence various elections. Expect to see copies of Monday's budget submission in the back of those insurgent Chevy Suburbans.

UPDATE: This story confirms that the Iraq estimate for fiscal 2009 will be $50 billion. Did someone call this administration "serious"?