But how does it affect President Bush's popularity?

Everyone I meet says he feels betrayed by the politicians who keep frustrating us with their incompetence and internal fighting over power.

Iraq is facing the harsh reality of self-governance without a totalitarian sadist in power. "Stability" in the case of Iraq was built on the certainty of brutality.

The consequences to President Bush will be minimal, measured by historians. The consequences to the people of Iraq are ongoing, measured in body bags and suffering.