“I think it’s a done deal.”
Desperation knows no bounds, but this would be an extraordinarily risky play. In the long run, it may make strategic sense (and as the author notes, is a less miserable option than allowing Iran to acquire nukes), but in the short run, it is likely to precipitate fierce attacks on a) Israel; b) Strait of Hormuz; or c) Iraq, or perhaps all 3.
There’s no guarantee things would shake out by election day and in the meantime, uncertainty about how things will be resolved may make it appear that Obama has threatened the survival of Israel, the reliability of our oil supply or our 7-year investment in Iraq. I doubt the voters would exactly be pleased with any of these prospects. I think it would be seen for the “wag-the-dog” gamble that it is and would result in an even greater backlash against the Dems.
Good points all and your scenario is very likely so it would appear to be a poor choice for wag the dog scenarios which leaves the question of what they will do in October. Maybe trot out some Justice Dept indictments of Cheney or whatever.