It’s not a secret that General David Petraeus has his job because he was hand picked for it by the President.

When he was introduced to America, the critics praised him for his past service and expertise. Many described him as the person to call when things got bad in Iraq, a man who “wrote the book” on unconventional warfare.

During his first tour of Congress and later, it became clear to anyone keeping up with the news that the General knew – reallllly knew – who his boss was, who signed the checks as it were. He managed to keep his job even when a less cooperative – and likely more objective – superior got hired, and then retired in short order.

So, while watching the most recent testimony today of both the General and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, the only real question was how anyone could listen to what was said and not hear the real message loud and clear.

Senator Jim Webb of Virginia pretty much had it nailed while appearing on MSNBC’s “Hardball.”

Webb said that he at least wasn’t surprised that members of Congress couldn’t get any definite answers out of either men, and went on to draw the conclusion that the next president would inherit some 140,000 American troops on the ground in Iraq.

He handled the matter diplomatically.

The truth is that it appears both men continued to serve a White House directive that has become clear over the past couple of years – George W. Bush won’t pull troops out of Iraq, ever. I appears regardless of the advice of the military, regardless of an endless series of polls and reams of research, Mr. Bush just won’t budge.

Hasn’t he said as much? It won’t matter just how unpopular the war has become, he won’t leave the oval office as the man who “lost Iraq.” And yes, one might wonder if the President the same day thought about any of that as he presented the medal of honor to the family of a Navy Seal killed in combat. It doesn’t seem that any number of American lives will sway him, and it doesn’t seem that any amount of money paid for the continually foundering effort will dissuade him.

Even Senator John McCain seemed to go on the offensive today, however with less gusto than Senators Obama and Clinton. It took Senator Joe Biden of Delaware to really lay down the hammer on Ambassador Crocker, asking Crocker where he thought U.S. resources should really go – Iraq or Pakistan and Afghanistan?

After waffling, the ambassador finally responded that the bigger threat lies in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, he’d only say that after Biden asked where Crocker would put troops if God sat on the witness table and asked where the troops were more needed. At least someone got a straight answer out of the administration, but only after a lot of frustration.

Regardless, the overall message was simple and clear – President Bush won’t cooperate with plans to withdraw troops, and will make damn sure when it does happen, he isn’t around to sign the paperwork bringing home American servicemembers.

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