You asked several questions in your post, herm. In your hypothetical I am the President. Were that the case we would not have gone to war the way and time we did, potentially changing the entire political landscape under which an eventual war with Iraq would have been fought, if necessary.

It is precisely because I would not have made the same decision as the President in the first place that I chose to answer your question as I did.

The President is following his doctrine in the Middle East. If I was the President and I wrote a doctrine I would probably follow it as closely to the letter as possible....that said, my 'doctrine' would look a lot different if I were President so I would be acting with an entirely different set of priorities.

That's about as far I'll go with your 'if I was the Pres' question....no one denies that it is likely the most difficult job on the planet. Just because the job is tough though, does not insulate the President from criticsm. Nor does it make those that would criticise 'anti-american'.

On lighter note...if you think Bill Clinton was excellent fodder for the press you can only imagine how 'ol h2o's presidency would go down in history.......

The Death Metal president

I'd wear my Cannibal Corpse t-shirt to all diplomatic functions...

Instead of retreating to Camp David for some R & R I would hit the road with my band for some R & R...

You think Bubba had groupie sex in the White House....you ain't seen nothin' yet....

I would do my Keith Richards impression for all interviews and press conferences ...

The New drug Czar?
Ozzy...Ozzzy...Ozzy...Ozzy...Ozzy.

During the State of the Union Address when everyone started to cheer... instead of waiting patiently for the applause to die down I'd work the crowd...left side....right said...left side...right side....everyone now 'Scream for me Disrict of Columbia!!!!!!!