AP: Iraq getting better?

[ProSense]

AP: Iraq getting better? (Updated)

Nothing is more important in the presidential race than perceptions of Iraq.

The public still believes it's a pretty hopeless mess and we should leave. Democrats, and Obama, have made that belief central to their platform. McCain continues to argue that the surge has worked, and withdrawal would be a mistake.

So, here's an AP lede from Baghdad:

"Signs are emerging that Iraq has reached a turning point. Violence is down, armed extremists are in disarray, government confidence is rising and sectarian communities are gearing up for a battle at the polls rather than slaughter in the streets."

But, here's the Democrats' side of the story:

"...Sunni groups - loosely organized and still armed - could resume the fight if the Shiite-dominated national leadership fails to deliver on promises of economic help and a share of power. Critics believe U.S. support for such groups, known collectively as 'awakening councils,' could set the stage for future conflict...."

And: "Political progress has lagged far behind security gains, some of them made at the risk of sowing the seeds of future conflict. Fear and mistrust lie just beneath the surface."

Update: And then, the news of the day intervenes: 51 killed in a blast at a Shiite market in Baghdad -- "the deadliest attack in the Iraqi capital in more than three months." Read here.

McCain using Bush's hypocritical "September 10th Mindset" against Obama

[babylonsister]

1. That update...this will never end, there will always be days like these

until we get the hell out of there! :grr:

[panader0]

2. Just got home and heard about the car blast that killed 51

I believe the rebels (insurgents) in Iraq are aware of the effect news like this has in the USA.

[Vincardog]

3. Illegal occupations are never won they only ever END

[annabanana]

4. All the Iraqi groups agree that the "agreement" that B*sh wants them

to sign onto.. The one that would establish, like 58 permanent bases and indemnify all US & contractor personnel from Iraqi law...and let us use those bases to attack other Countries..etc etc

They ALL agree that they won't sign it, even Maliki. They may all get together in September and tell us to get the hell out. We will then have lost our fig leaf.