Careful Handling

The New York Times provides some insight into the careful way the White House handled the breaking news that Zarqawi had been killed.

But it would be exactly five hours until the news would be confirmed, through finger prints, scars and, Mr. Snow said, possibly tattoos.

Mr. Rumsfeld today said that he had been notified Wednesday night in a call from Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the American commander in Iraq, that the attack had been made and that troops were moving in to search the site and confirm the identities. White House officials said today that they decided to hold off from the obvious temptation to try to break into prime time television right away with the rare good news. Rather, they decided it would be best to keep the secret for as long as possible and allow it to be announced in Baghdad, along with the news that the government there had finally filled three key posts, the ministers of defense, interior and national security.

Officials also decided to proceed carefully and not repeat mistakes of the past by referring to the killing as a turning point or an end to violence in Iraq, which is expected to, if anything, increase in coming days.

"There are no delusions that violence will dry up," Mr. Snow said. "We wouldn't be surprised if we saw a spike in violence as those who were Zarqawi's charges say, 'Look, we're still a factor.' "

Mr. Bush was careful to speak in measured tones this morning, when he announced the news at a hastily called 7:30 a.m. announcement in the Rose Garden.

"Zarqawi is dead, but the difficult and necessary mission in Iraq continues," Mr. Bush said, speaking somberly and betraying no elation. "We can expect the terrorists and insurgents to carry on without him. We can expect the sectarian violence to continue."

Sounds like they made absolutely sure about the news and made a very deliberate and careful release of the information.

UPDATE: And you really should not miss Planck's Constant's take on this either. Oh, and do look at the new Canadian currency as well.

UPDATE: Mike over at Mike's America has a good roundup (he was kind enough to include this blog in it – thanks, Mike).