War Games

Was there anything that happened at the Petraeus hearings that wasn't entirely predictable?

The general said progress had been made in Iraq, but not enough, and refused to estimate when more troops might be able to be withdrawn.

Democrats were generally skeptical.

Republicans were generally supportive.

Everyone praised the troops.

Some protesters were removed from the room.

Retired generals hit the airwaves.

Joe Biden talked for a long time.

CNN and Fox cut away, but went back to the hearings when Hillary Clinton and, later, Barack Obama got to ask questions.

The ball does not seem to have moved.

Unlike the drama surrounding Gen. David Petraeus's testimony last September, I had the sense that the players were largely going through the motions. Everyone knows there will be no change in Iraq policy until one of the three senators in attendance--Obama, Clinton or John McCain--becomes president.

No matter how Democrats phrased the question--what would it take to begin thinking about the possibility of withdrawing more troops?--Petraeus would not be budged. He had his marching orders. Any change in strategy would require a presidential decision. But Petraeus has become the face of the war, and especially the surge, so he was the one deflecting questions under the lights.