Maliki certainly looks happy to have this photo-op with Bush, doesn't he? Think Progress and AmericaBlog have thoroughly discussed why Maliki's snub of the Lame Duck in Chief was a big deal. In brief, the White House is saying the canceled meeting was merely a social dinner. But Reuters and the Associated Press are saying it was an important summit meeting.
You'll recall that Bush was unwelcome on the campaign trail this past election. Webb's strong stance during the meet and greet with Bush signals that we're going to see more of this in the coming months as the Bush Presidency crumbles.
It's barely 8:00 and there are already 9 pages of comments posted!! I think the Will Allen Bush school of hypocrisy is self-destructing!
Why does the press put up with this crap?
1. Sadr threatened to remove critical support from Maliki's government if he met with Bush
2. Hadley Memo
3. Maliki goes to Jordan, delays meeting with Bush
4. Sadr removes support, no one knows for how long
5. Maliki meets with Bush, look miserable
I don't have time to research it and provide all the links, but Sadr is definitely looking like the most powerful politician in Iraq right now. Maybe, just maybe, he can be talked into a peaceful solution.