"Betraeus" is apparently the term of art. Nice, huh?
But the real skullduggery is taking place behind the scenes (cue the foreboding music and peal of thunder):
Adding to suspicions, the report - based on recommendations by Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Iraq - will be written by White House staff. But both men will testify in public before Congress.
My, that is suspicious. Where did the President get the idea that he should screen the reports!
Well, consult the act, section 1314 of the act in question, to be precise:
The President, having consulted with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Commander, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, the United States Ambassador to Iraq, and the Commander of U.S. Central Command, will prepare the report and submit the report to Congress.
Clever, eh? The President tricked the Democratically controlled Congress into requiring him to deliver the report!
I blame Rove. Or maybe Ashcroft.
