“Stay the course” is history, and a former Republican strategist explains what that means. Tim Robey of Madison says the White House decision to stop using that phrase in reference to Iraq is a matter of President Bush's principles — he sincerely believes invading Iraq was the right thing to do — as well as politics. The president, says Robey, is now “putting pressure on Democrats who he believes don't have a plan for Iraq.”
Might the Republican Party still have an “October surprise” to spring, in order to maintain control of the House of Representatives? “I think this might be October surprise,” says Robey, adding that there was some speculation among insiders that the White House might announce a plan to withdraw from Iraq, but that President Bush doesn't believe that's the right strategy.