November Surprise?, Pt. II

Two weeks ago, I mentioned that the date for Saddam Hussein's verdict to be read was announced to be November 5th (a week from today and two days before the election). I sarcastically stated that this totally had to be a coincidence, because a) I am cynical, and b) I am smart and have been paying attention. What about that wacky 'liberal' media of ours? Have they been paying attention? While they cover Hussein's verdict (if the WMDs do not fit, you must acquit!) next week, will they realize/acknowledgement that the secondary story here too-- that this is another decidely undemocratic attempt by the White House to hijack the news cycle the day before a critical election that looks to be a referendum on their governing and their war(s)?

David Brock of Media Matters for America has called on the media to answer that question (with details relevant to the trial and past examples of similar behavior): "Why has the verdict been postponed? Is it designed to influence this fall's election? Is this yet another example of the administration playing politics with our policy in Iraq? These are the questions the media should be asking. Forget the October surprise -- it looks like Karl Rove and the Bush Administration have been preparing for a November surprise. They have a documented history of timing major national security announcements for their own political gain. With Saddam Hussein's verdict being delayed until two days before this year's midterm election, the media should be asking the administration about this transparent grab for political advantage."

I hope that no one out there will be holding for breath for this one.

UPDATE: Hmmm, now it appears this surprise may not happen after all-

A court trying Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity could delay its verdict by a few days, the chief prosecutor said on Sunday, in a move that would shift the announcement until after U.S. midterm elections.

The U.S.-backed court had been due to deliver a verdict on November 5, two days before U.S. elections in which President George W. Bush's Republicans fear they could lose control of Congress.

The chief prosecutor, Jaafar al-Moussawi, said the Iraqi High Tribunal was still working on the judgment. "We will know a day or two before the trial if they are ready to announce the verdict," Moussawi told Reuters....

...News of the possible delay follows a week of public spats between U.S. officials and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Maliki's aides say he is furious at U.S. pressure on him ahead of the elections as the American public turns increasingly away from Bush's Iraq policy.

I'll be curious to see how these powerplays between Bush and Maliki end... both are very proud, stubborn men.