Iraqis Will Get the Leaders "We" Want, and then US'll Leave, says Rep. Shuster

In an interview after returning from Iraq, Congressman Bill Shuster,a member of the House Armed Services Committee, let slip something that I'm not sure he meant to say, although it probably reflects the truth about how the Bush administration sees the Iraqi occupation.According to Shuster, what will determine when the US leaves Iraq sooner rather than lateris the following:

[M]ilitary strategists on the ground in Iraq believe American service members will have to remain in Iraq for at least six more months to complete their objective: leaving in place a secure, democratic society.

But, Shuster said, that time frame could be extended if leaders who share U.S. goals aren't successful in Iraq's upcoming national elections next Thursday.

"If we get good quality leaders elected, they can see us withdrawing troops in six to seven months," Shuster said. But, "If we get political hacks, it may be 18 months."

Now, that's democracy at work: getting the leaders someone else wants you to have.