Anyone tuned into the news this morning has probably heard by now that President Bush finally allowed a comparison between Iraq and Vietnam, agreeing in an ABC interview with columnist Thomas Friedman that the violence level in Iraq is "the jihadist equivalent of the Tet offensive."  Said the President:

"He could be right. There's certainly a stepped-up level of violence, and we're heading into an election."

The internets, particularly left-leaning blogs, have been buzzing with the news.  Morning programs led off with the soundbite.  It's everywhere, as well it should be.  An acknowledgement of the existence of reality from the Fantasy King is international headline news.

But wait.  He didn't really mean what we think he means.

Apparently, GWB got in trouble with his handlers when he returned to the White House from last night's interview, because the line this morning is that

the president had not been making the analogy that Iraq had reached a similar turning point. Instead, he was saying that insurgents were possibly increasing violence to try to influence coming U.S. elections. (Reuters)

Wow, really?  You don't think maybe they could be stepping up the violence oust occupying forces?  Or to kill off rivals?  Or to earn their various ways into eternal reward?  I accept that certain of the insurrectionists give a fair amount of thought to America and our current political imbroglio, searching for and planning ways to influence it.  I seriously doubt, however, that those few are organized and/or powerful enough to direct all of Iraq's warring factions (and there are many) to increase violence for 4-6 weeks so that Conrad Burns doesn't get reelected.

Once again, another gross oversimplification from the great decider.  Not a surprise at this point, just a source of endless frustration.

Later in the ABC interview Bush noted that "They [Al-Qaeda] believe that if they can create enough chaos, the American people will grow sick and tired of the Iraqi effort and will cause government to withdraw."

What, with Congressional approvals in the teens and Presidential hovering just below 40%, we're not tired of it already?  Even Republicans in Congress and Jim-the-Fixer-Baker are calling for a change in course, and this man still seems to think everything would be okay if only we could get back to the death rate of, say, 6 months ago.  Amazing.

Today, Tony Snow added:

That [Tet Offensive] is not an analogy we're trying to make.  We do not think that there's been a flip-over point, but more importantly from the standpoint of the government and the standpoint of this administration, we're going to continue pursuing victory aggressively.

Pursuing it, but not achieving it.  I could pursue Hugh Jackman aggressively if I liked, but that doesn't mean I'd get him.  In fact, it could even land me in jail.

Not that the President has to worry about a little thing like consequences.  Whatever happens, I'm sure he'll be well taken care of.  Doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?