I leave it to better men than I to fisk Ted Kennedy's Op-Ed in today's Washington Post. One thing that strikes me as I read this, however, is the amount of projection contained therein. In the world of the Kennedys, *everything* is a political calculation. Every stance is about currying favor and winning elections, every speech about pleasing a special interest - so it comes as no surprise that these are exactly the same motivations ascribed to Kennedy's political opponents.

As one reads Kennedy's piece, one cannot help but notice that there is not one ounce, not one iota of possibility or credit granted that there may, just may, be something more behind President Bush's policy decisions on Iraq than simple electioneering. Despite the volumes written, the op-eds, the speeches and statements of argument, it all boils down to electoral manipulation.

No wonder the Democrats can't figure out why they're losing. They just don't "get" it. They ascribe all manner of dishonest manipulation to the White House to explain their own failure to lead when in reality, the only ones being fooled are the members of the Democrat establishment themselves.

A Dishonest War By Edward M. Kennedy

Update: Power Line has a take on the substance of the piece.