Bush Quits in Iraq

As I read (I didn't have a chance to watch) Bush's speech from the other night, it struck me that his heart is just not in the Iraq war anymore. Why?

1. Instead of talking about winning or victory he says things like success. Now, if you and I were talking about competing against each other or someone else those words would be synonyms. However, the words in presidential addresses are looked over like the Rosetta Stone and a change in them from speech to speech indicates a change in thinking or policy.

2. Let's say you're coaching in a football game. After things not going well in the first half your team finds a little bit of rhythm and you stop losing as badly. Would you a) continue the strategy to maybe even the score or b) be satisfied with not getting your ass kicked as badly and go back to the previous strategy? Bush has chosen the second option. Let's take his word for it that the surge has worked/is working, the military has the local Sunni tribes fighting against Al Qaeda and is restoring (permanent) stability in the area. Why would you then plan to reduce troops? Wouldn't you conclude that you have a winning strategy and send more troops to implement it and defeat the enemy? If Bush really thought we were winning he would do the latter.

Why he's quit is bizarre. He's not taking bold enough steps to reduced troops to turn public opinion in his favor (as if he cares). The Democrats in congress have already shown that they are far too chicken shit to really force his hand on the war, so he can pretty much prosecute it they way he wants for the remainder of his term. I think that he's finally seen the light on this misadventure and wants to slink away before people notice.