By The Beachwood Study Group

The Pentagon’s closely guarded review of how to improve the situation in Iraq has outlined three basic options: Send in more troops, shrink the force but stay longer, or pull out, according to senior defense officials. Insiders have dubbed the options “Go Big,” “Go Long” and “Go Home.”
– Washington Post, “Pentagon May Suggest Short-Term Buildup Leading to Iraq Exit“
The Beachwood Study Group has also developed some options.
* Go Chicago: Divide Iraq into 50 wards and install a strongman.
* Go the Distance: Wait for deceased smarter strategists to come out of the cornfields with a solution.
* Go Bears. Not good on the attack, but should be able to contain offensives inside the Green Zone.

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Posted on November 27, 2006

By Steve Rhodes

Rahm Emanuel is certainly the Man of the Hour in American politics at the moment – partly because he deserves to be and partly because he’s a pro at managing the media. Let’s take a look.
Architect of the Tribune
The Tribune called Emanuel “Architect of a Turnaround” on its front page on Sunday, promoting its special “insider” report recounting Emanuel’s role in last week’s takeover of the U.S. House as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The Tribune got access to Emanuel for months in return for not publishing anything until after the election.
This was to Emanuel’s advantage, of course. Placing another reporter inside the operation of Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean would have produced a fuller report – and very different view of the campaign. Instead, we got “The House That Rahm Built.”
Not to diminish Emanuel’s considerable if repugnant political skills, but the hyperbole and spin is stifling. Let’s take a look.

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Posted on November 13, 2006

By Steve Rhodes

“President Bush and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the likely speaker of the House, yesterday buried the hatchet – gently – as the two sat down for an Oval Office lunch after a vitriolic campaign that put Democrats in control of Congress for the first time in 12 years.”
– “Bush, Pelosi Look Ahead Over Lunch“
Bush: Thanks for coming.
Pelosi: Thanks for inviting me, Mr. President.
Bush: Would you like a corndog?

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Posted on November 9, 2006

By Steve Rhodes

Dear Beachwood:
I’m completely stumped on a few races.
I really want to send the Republicans in Congress a message, but it looks like all of the local races involve sending the Democrats a message. I’m torn. Voting Republican actually makes my skin crawl, although I’ve done it a few times in the past in extraordinary cases.
I’ve met Judy Baar Topinka a dozen times, but I just can’t get myself to vote for her. I won’t vote for Blago (didn’t last time either . . . I abstained, although I do like Pat Quinn. Should I vote for indictment? I’m leaning Green Party here, even though I know he can’t win.
As for Cook County Board . . . I can’t and won’t vote for Stroger . . . but a Republican? Is there a third choice? I’m leaning toward abstaining.
My congressman is Mark Kirk, who is a decent man (I’ve met him many times), but he voted for the Iraq War. I’m voting for Seals.
I can see why so many people don’t bother voting . . . and it’s not because we’re uneducated about politics. It’s because the more we learn, the less we want to vote.
Aaargh. Help us.
– Stumped and Torn
Dear Stumped and Torn:
Help is here.

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Posted on November 2, 2006