GAO Report on Iraq due in September.
VERSUS
General Petraeus' Report on Iraq due in September.
Update: The House will hold hearings next week on two reports assessing the situation in Iraq. The Government Accountability Office drafted a report that gives a bleak assessment of the chances the Iraqi government will reach a national reconciliation. Only 3 of the 18 benchmarks set by Congress have been met by Iraqi officials. A second report drafted by military experts will conclude that Iraqi forces are years away from assuming responsibility for their nation's security without U.S. combat forces. Both reports will present a sombre prelude for the much anticipated Patreaus report on the lack of progress in Iraq. Anticipation was that it would be virtuoso performance, but instead his report will refrain the National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq recently released. Patreaus, according to a senior military official, succeeded in having the NIE's negative security assessments "softened" to reflect some recent tactical improvements. Its obvious by now that Patreaus is a member of the Bush propaganda symphony. Congress members got an earful from their constituents during their August break. Rep. Bain (D) of Vancouver, Washington changed his position to support the surge after a guided tour of Iraq, but received a crescendo of criticism during a town hall meeting from the people in his district for his variation.