Two More Sens. Praise Surge

The two ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee from their respective parties--Senators Carl Levin and John Warner expressed optimism in the military gains but stuck close to the consensus that the government remains a problem.:

"We have seen indications that the surge of additional brigades to Baghdad and its immediate vicinity and the revitalized counter-insurgency strategy being employed have produced tangible results in making several areas of the capital more secure. We are also encouraged by continuing positive results -- in al Anbar Province, from the recent decisions of some of the Sunni tribes to turn against Al Qaeda and cooperate with coalition force efforts to kill or capture its adherents," the two said in a statement issued after leaving the country.

"We remain concerned, however, that in the absence of overall national political reconciliation, we may be inadvertently helping to create another militia which will have to be dealt with in the future," the two said.

I suppose Sen. Levin didn't get the memo that the pessimism is back as the Democrat stance as shown by the downer piece in yesterday's NY Times.