at best, at worst

A letter in the Australian wrote, "the claims made are at best disingenuous, at worst deceitful." On the one hand it is encouraging that writers like this do not go overboard with hyperbole and make an at worst statement such as "at worst the end of civilisation as we know it". It is good to balance the "at best, at worst" contrast but often I look at the "at worst" argument and wonder - so? Is that all? Why bother oneself over that!
Should the Americans withdraw from Iraq? What is an "at best, at worst" scenario? At best we can save American lives, at worst we can lose face? At worst we can leave Iraq to the terrorists? At worst we can leave Iraq in the too hard basket? At worst we can abandon Iraqis to civil war?
Clearly the stupidity of the original decision to go to war with Iraq is biting George on the bum and now he wants others to get the ants out of his pants for him. George, we told you it was a stupid idea but you went ahead anyway. Unfortunately, the coalition of the willing has no other choice. It can't just shit in the kitchen and not clean up the mess.