The thrill of defeat

While Harry and Hillary continue to trip over themselves trying to get us out of Iraq before their man in Baghdad General Petraeous is allowed to do anything positive, new contender Bill Richardson has chimed in with his own views:

"I believe it's one of the worst blunders, certainly is," New Mexico's Democratic Governor Bill Richardson told "Late Edition." "And the focus now should be on how we can get our troops out and leave Iraq with a chance for sustainability in the future."

Yeah, it's that sustainability thing that's a bugger.

He then added, "But I do agree with that because our obsession with Iraq has cost us enormous amounts of prestige ... around the world. But also the fact that we haven't focused on the real challenges facing this country: international terrorism, nuclear proliferation, North Korea, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian issue."

I thought they got cable in New Mexico. Doesn't he know his party has been working feverishly to stop any effective engagement (ie, not giving in) with Iran to this point?

As to international terrorists, good Lord, time out. He knows they were in Iraq before we invaded yet somehow thinks the halcyon days of diplomacy that worked so well back in the 90s will somehow work this time.

Richardson is a wheeler-dealer no doubt, and this talent might allow some backroom dealin' with some of the people who hold influence over the rootless, nonstate terrorists. But surely any such diabolical deals would only produce short-term political points, not long-term solutions. Recall he was the Ambassador the UN when Oil for Corruption program was off and running. He's got no resume worth running on.

As to our quagmire in Korea, it was fun watching him take credit for Bush's deal,

I believe the president deserves credit. Finally, he listened to a lot of individuals, hopefully like myself, who said, talk directly to North Korea. Don't do it through third parties like China in the six-party talks.

Blitzer failed to mention that Chris Hill was just quoted on his network specifying the deal was NOT bilateral, but rather than tearing him a new orifice like he did with Douglas Feith the other day, Mr. Wolf let that response float to the floor like a feather. It's all about legacy.

As to his jab at Bush ruining our worldwide reputation, I'm pretty sure Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, our various assortment of heinous criminals and substance abusers glorified by Hollywood, and defeatists like John Kerry have taken good care of that long ago. Or maybe he just needed an advance copy of tonight's 60 Minutes.