President Bush acknowledged Friday that it could take time for the people of Lebanon and the world to view the war between Israel and Hezbollah as a loss for the militant group.

"The first reaction of course of Hezbollah and its supporters is to declare victory. I guess I would have done the same thing if I were them," Bush said after a meeting with his economic advisers.

How about they declared victory because they won. Does Hezbollah still exist? Yes. In force? Yes, maybe even more than before. With arms? Lots. With leadership? I haven't seen any reports that any senior leaders were killed. As a political force? Big time yes. Lebanon has united behind them for standing up to Israel.

In Crawford, at Camp David or at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, one constant is this administration with it's cranium firmly ensconced in its alimentary canal.