2.22.2005

Perhaps Chalabi Could Still Be Iraqi Dog Catcher

    BAGHDAD, Iraq - Interim Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim al-Jaafari was chosen Tuesday to be his Shiite ticket's candidate for prime minister after Ahmad Chalabi dropped his bid, senior alliance officials said.

    Pressure from within the ranks of the winning United Iraqi Alliance forced the withdrawal of Chalabi, a one-time Pentagon (news - web sites) favorite, said Hussein al-Moussai from the Shiite Political Council, an umbrella group for 38 Shiite parties.

    "They wanted him to withdraw. They didn't want to push the vote to a secret ballot," al-Moussawi said.
My only question is who actually got Chalabi to back down? The Neo-Cons here are still extremely supportive of the man. And Chalabi was so damned reasonable about the whole thing in interviews today after getting this close to becoming Iraqi Prime Minister (something that makes my head hurt contemplating).