It should surprise no one that Bush is trying to make an end run around the congress, the American people, and indeed the constitution to ensure that Amercan troops, and therefore American business will be in Iraq forever. Fortunatly, the Iraqi government seems savvy enough to drive a hard bargain, especially since they understand that with the UN mandate expiring at the end of the year their barganing position will only improve.
Bush has gained way to much power as president. Never before has the presidency been given so much power. Cowboy diplomacy was only curtailed when there was a new sheriff in town. According to this, it seems the authority of the sheriff will be preemptively assumed by a foreign power. However much of an absolute fool he has been, his legacy promises to be one of the most disastrous in US history. Before it was just his presidency that has been the worst in US history.