The delivery of the verdict in Saddam Hussein’s trial, originally set for October 16th, has been postponed… until the Sunday before the vote on Tuesday, November 7th.

Which means the news cycle on Monday, November 6th, the day before the elections, will be filled with reports about the conviction of Saddam Hussein.

Of course, this can be dismissed as a complete coincidence. If you are a complete idiot.

The day before the nation goes to vote, the TV news reports are already baked in: Saddam found guilty! Which of course brings up the talking point: Hail Bush, vanquisher of evildoers! Because, y’know, we have such a free, independent, liberal media and all.

Not sure if it’s gonna have all that much effect, given that Iraq isn’t quite the winning issue it used to be. But still, seeing the “news” being manipulated like this so far in advance — wouldn’t you think that would be the story, and not just the results of the manipulation?

I mean, the American media ain’t the greatest adversarial force on the planet, but it’s still the the 53rd-most free press in the world, right there with Tonga, Croatia, and Botswana. Somebody at CNN must own a calendar. We can do this.

UPDATE: The Iraqis, who are bristling at U.S. pressure on a number of issues, may delay the announcement until after the elections.

The U.S. Ambassador, for his part, utterly denies any connection between the calendar and, um, the calendar.