about the public's acceptance of the reasons for invading Iraq and the real reasons the administration wanted to invade. Yes, there is a public record of the mood and beliefs of politicians, the media, and their followers (i.e., the gullible or loyal public). But the real reasons why Cheney, et al, wanted to invade Iraq are different. And as far as bush making choices of his "own free will", you can say that about almost anybody who gets to decide without knowing what they are doing. Bush is a tool, a puppet, and manipulated as easily as any child.
a big part of his election campaign in 2000 was that he was the "CEO president" - that he would surround himself with advisers who were experts and would give him advice, and then he would make the decision. A huge problem with a "CEO" president who takes no time to understand any issue is that he is completely dependent on his advisers, and in this case, they were all some combination of delusional, insane, ideologically corrupt, incompetent, or gutless (you know, the people who knew the invasion was wrong but didn't object). Of course Bush decided to invade, he was fed informaion that could only lead him to one conclusion.
And this bit about Bush telling cheney he's the boss - that had nothing to do with Cheney's control over policy, Bush just didn't want Cheney to appear to be making the decisions, and he wanted Cheney to be deferential to him. The whole Bush presidency was about him looking presidential, and being elected twice (vs. Poppy's once), and making big decisions to be remembered by. He had no real plan that he wanted to implement, he just wanted to look like he was in charge, and he didn't want Cheney to alter that perception.
Well, he's going to get his wish to be remembered all right, only not for anything good.
