Wagnerian Bluffs Lead To Wagnerian Results

Brilliant Move By Bush Leads To Terrorist Gains: "Islamic fundamentalists who oppose U.S. interests in the Middle East have benefited from the U.S. policy of promoting democracy, making significant gains in recent elections.
Hamas is the latest to rise. Its likely strong showing in Palestinian parliamentary elections today poses a dilemma for the United States and Israel, which refuse to deal with a group responsible for numerous suicide bombings.
Kenneth Katzman, a Middle East expert at the non-partisan Congressional Research Service, says the United States has pressured Egypt, Iraq and the Palestinian territories to hold free elections. 'The pro-democracy effort has had the actual effect of strengthening fundamentalist movements,' Katzman says."

...and...

"Washington miscalculated in pushing for the vote, as part of its pro-democracy campaign in the Arab world, she said. "The Americans insisted on having the election now, so they have to respect the results of the election, as we all do," she said.

Bush is as smart as a whip. A very small whip.