And so, after a long hard struggle, the battle is over, and democracy has lost. President Bush has consolidated his power, engendering great quotes like this one from Nancy Soderberge, a "senior member of President Clinton's National Security Council":

"It sends a strong message to Saddam that President Bush has got support ... The Russians, the French and the Arabs will tell Iraq there are no checks and balances on President Bush."

The irony of that statement is just amazing.