The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, just told Congress the military is “weighing new directions for Iraq, including an even bigger troop buildup.”

Before anyone gets all lathered up, what the army really seems to be doing is studying all the alternatives. Sending more men. Sending fewer. Leaving the same number. But, anyhow, General Pace probably made the Democrats’ day in Congress. They’d like nothing better than to have a big rhubarb with the Bush Administration about sending more men to Iraq. Their reelection prospects will skyrocket.

But that’s not the real problem for Bush. Pace probably didn’t mean to but he’s raised a political specter that is disastrous for the President. If the Joint Chiefs – when they issue their report in September – recommend sending more men to Iraq that’s tantamount to the army saying that after sending too few men for the invasion, and too few for the occupation, President Bush did it again with the surge. Which is like the army saying three strikes and you’re out.