The sea-change in Washington: diplomacy rather than preemptive strike warfare; the acknowledgement that the Geneva Conventions do apply to Gitmo detainees; bipartisan compromise on undocumented persons.

Suddenly statesman-like, W seeks to ameliorate the political fallout from his cowboy presidential actions and words. "Dead or Alive" may have been misinterpreted by Muslims, he says.

I say the change is superficial, intended as part of a long-term strategy to keep the hold on the legislature and send yet another Bush to Washington. May it fail in flames.