From Doug’s comment, it seems Putin has given his answer to Cheney’s threat.

The time to act is now. We must respond forcefully now or our credibility is shot to hell. If we do not act, we will be inviting more Russian misadventures and aggression. Many of our allies, particularly Old Europe, will then cower and capitulate to Putin’s threats. We may be quickly surrounded with Russian compliant states limiting our options and power in ways we can’t now foresee.

The sooner we respond the less damage will be done. It is no comfort for our other threatened Allies like Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics to see Georgians die in the streets while we dally to pursue the diplomatic niceties. Hopefully the pause in the action gives us some time to act.

Whether Bush is strong or weak really will be determined over the course of the next few days. Bush has acted in ways that are both strong and weak. Unfortunately, Bush was strong from 911 to and through the initial phase of the Iraq war. Since, with a few exceptions, he has been weak, far too often capitulating to the State Department , the CIA and other so called Realists.

I just hope W remembers that the situation a President leaves the country in when his terms ends is a huge part of how he is remembered. If he screws this up, it will define his Presidency.