There is a HUGE Logical Problem with the Iraq Policy

At President Bush's meeting with the Democratic leadership over the weekend, the following line drew applause, according to the transcript released by the White House:

And I have made it clear to the Iraqi government, just like I made it clear to the American people, our commitment is not open ended.

Of course that makes sense. But no one -- no one who cares about logic or rationality, that is -- can say that and also say, as Bush continually does, that success in Iraq is of crucial, existential, world-historical importance.

• If success in Iraq is that important, our commitment is in fact open-ended.
• If our commitment in Iraq is not open-ended, then success in Iraq is not that important.

When will some Democrat -- let's get crazy, some Republican -- ask: Mr. President, which will it be?

James Fallows writes for The Atlantic. This column was originally posted on JamesFallows.com.