Are Bush and al-Maliki pulling a rope-a-dope?

I'm suspicious of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's recent criticism of the Bush Administration not sending enough weapons to Iraq. Is it possible that Bush and al-Maliki are pulling a rope a dope with the American public. This wouldn't be the first time Bush has played politics with our troops.

Bush is in a political fight with Congress to try to get more troops and funding for the war in Iraq. He's under pressure from Democrats and Republicans in both the US House and Senate as well as ordinary citizens who want the US to pull out of Iraq.

I have to wonder if Bush and al-Maliki are trying to influence public opinion on the war in Iraq. Look at Bush's reaction. He simply shrugged it off. It's a bit too convenient given the fact Bush is getting reamed at home about the Iraq war.

Maybe this is just a far flung conspiracy theory, but it sounds just about as Rovian as you can get.