What was Olmert thinking when he talked about Iraq?

It didn't take a long time for the news about Ehud Olmert's remarks in the White House to spread around Washington, and in L.A. you had to read it twice to believe it:

"We in the Middle East have followed the American policy in Iraq for a long time, and we are very much impressed and encouraged by the stability which the great operation of America in Iraq brought to the Middle East. We pray and hope that this policy will be fully successful so that this stability which was created for all the moderate countries in the Middle East will continue."

You can read the news report my colleague and I wrote for the morning paper, but it doesn't contain all the necessary details and analysis. What the hell was he thinking?

Stability

Does Olmert really believe there's now more stability in the region? That is weird. There's no other way to describe it. For a minute I thought, well, he must have meant to say that it will bring more stability in the future - also debatable, but one can still argue the point. But "brought"? "stability"? Olmert was asked about this issue later in the afternoon, and didn't seem to think that clarification was needed. Apparently, he really believes he was right.

Here in L.A., I showed an experienced expert on Middle East affairs this statement. His reaction: "Didn't Bush laugh?"

Reality

The Iraq war is, um, not very successful so far. Even American voters have noticed. A week ago, they sent the Republican Party back to the opposition for making those "staying the course" remarks. Does Olmert seek an opposition status for Israel in the U.S.?

Aluf Benn has written it already, so why not quote him instead of writing a new version of the same argument:

"By coming out publicly on the matter, Olmert has taken Bush's side in the internal American debate, and has placed himself in opposition to the new Democratic leaders in Congress, who last week won the midterm elections because of their opposition to the war in Iraq."

Public opinion

I bet this will be an item for a John Stewart monologue on the Daily Show. They will not have to do much, reading the statement without any comment is funny enough. Believe me - I've tried it on many people by now. You can try for yourselves: "We in the Middle East have followed the American policy in Iraq for a long time, and we are very much impressed and encouraged by the stability which the great operation of America in Iraq brought to the Middle East..."

Policy

I tried very hard to figure it out yesterday but couldn't get good enough answers. All I have are theories.

1. "This is Olmert's payment to Bush for hosting him." That's possible, but also suspicious: Why would Bush want such a statement from Olmert when there are many indications that he is going to change his strategy in Iraq?

2. "Olmert doesn't want the U.S. to leave Iraq and is trying to make this case." Maybe - but is this the right way to do it? I would think that talking privately to the new leaders of Congress and to the new administration appointees would be preferable.

3. "Olmert truly believes that the U.S. presence in Iraq is for the better." That's fair - but does he have to actually say it?

4. "He came empty handed to the White House and had to give the president something." What happened to the good old Judaica ornaments? Are we out of stock?

Democrats

Some Demcratic politicians I've been able to contact today were gracious enough not to attack Olmert for his statements. But let me tell you this: they weren't happy. My guess is that Israel is going to be hearing from them.

Realists

Is this the best thing that ever happened to Walt and Mersheimer or what? You don't believe Israel was pushing America to go to war with Iraq? See what the prime minister of Israel is saying.