[Griff]

The Philipinos must be counting on Bush losing or they're assuming he needs them badly. They have a stake in Iraq but it's about being part of a coalition that'll help them fight the Moslem insurgencey at home. Bushes vindictive nature could cause him to pull back in the Philipines, but they are assuming something like a rational response rational in the sense that it fits the stated goals of the administration, not rational as in truly effective..