Boogie Man

Why didn't I see this coming? Of course, it makes total sense.

The White House will use Petraeus's big report moment to push for war with Iran:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Washington's envoy to Iraq warned Americans on Thursday that pulling U.S. troops out of the country could open the door to a "major Iranian advance" that would threaten U.S. interests in the region.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker also accused Tehran of seeking to weaken the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government so that it could "by one means or another control it". Iran has denied U.S. charges that it is arming and training Shi'ite militias in Iraq.

Crocker and the top U.S. general in Iraq, General David Petraeus are due to present a pivotal report to Congress in September on progress on the military and political fronts and make recommendations on the way forward.

Doh! Big Doh!

It's a classic Rovian move. Double down on the double down. They'll say things are improving in Iraq but that unless we "counter" Iran in "some way", the big bad Ayatollah from the east will come eat your children.

Of course.

Nevermind the fact that the moment U.S. troops invaded, the fact that Iran would heavily influence Iraq in the future was a fait accompli. But conservatives will never let that minor detail stop them from advocating a crusade war against "them".