It may be Donald Rumsfeld's latest hobby, but drumming up a war with Syria may not be such a hot idea—at least judging from the diminishing returns of recent Bush-led wars in the Middle East

Washington Monthly, May, 2003 by Susan Threadgill

It may be Donald Rumsfeld's latest hobby, but drumming up a war with Syria may not be such a hot idea--at least judging from the diminishing returns of recent Bush-led wars in the Middle East. Shortly after the first Gulf War, President George H.W. Bush enjoyed approval ratings as high as 90 percent.

Following the defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan last November, George W. Bush's ratings were in the mid-80s. But recent polls taken after Saddam Hussein was deposed have put Bush's approval rating at just 71 percent. That would indicate that a pre-election invasion of Syria could only yield numbers in the 60s. Someone warn Karl Rove!