Morphing Cowboy?

CNN online has just posted a summary of Time's current cover story (Time.com). Here is how the article starts:

"All the good feeling at the White House at President Bush's early birthday party on July 4 couldn't hide the fact that the president finds himself in a world of hurt. A grinding and unpopular war in Iraq, a growing insurgency in Afghanistan, an impasse over Iran's nuclear ambitions, brewing war between Israel and the Palestinians -- the litany of global crises would test the fortitude of any president, let alone a second-termer with an approval rating mired in Warren Harding territory. And there's no relief in sight."

But the article proceeds to give credit to Condoleezza Rice for transforming Bush from ideological cowboy into realistic diplomat. Well, it seems the princess has indeed kissed the frog and something has happened, at least in Bushspeak. In the near term we shall see how much the Bushpolitik actually transforms. In a sense, one can still say it is never too late.

But in any case, Bush's Iraq war and occupation remain the heart of the matter, and we have to ask how much of the ghastly damage he and his cabal have done there is redeemable.