It’s so simple…not

Every time I hear John Kerry’s proposal to “internationalize” the operation in Iraq by asking the United Nations very politely, I’m reminded of this quip by Steve Martin:

How to make a million dollars: First, get a million dollars.

Kerry’s variation is: get more foreign nations involved in Iraq. How exactly to do that is anybody’s guess:

While one can argue that Bush isn't making his case about his policies, I think it is difficult to assert that Kerry is making any kind of case at all for his alleged policy. In short it seems that is solution continues to simply be internationalization, but aside from the idea that giving the UN more power is a magic solution, and the idea that foreign leaders will like him better than they like Bush, he hasn't spelled out anything that approaches realistic.

Tim Russert also seemed unconvinced:

MR. RUSSERT: So if Iraq is not secure, how can you possibly say the U.N. and NATO are going to come to our rescue when they don't have the troops or the interest of going in there?
SEN. KERRY: Tim, that is the dilemma. That is exactly the quandary that President Bush and this administration have put the United States of America in. And the tragedy is that there were three great opportunities for this administration to make it otherwise. [snip specious portrayal of “great opportunities”].

Now, here we are. I believe the following very deeply. Number one, we cannot fail. I've said that many times. And if it requires more troops in order to create the stability that eliminates the chaos, that can provide the groundwork for other countries, that's what you have to do.

So what should we do? “We cannot fail.” Step one: don’t fail.