I have been expecting this news for a while now since the Iraqi Army and Police have been successful in managing security for the elections and the recent attempts to ignite civil war.

President Bush vowed for the first time yesterday to turn over most of Iraq to newly trained Iraqi troops by the end of this year, setting a specific benchmark as he kicked off a fresh drive to reassure Americans alarmed by the recent burst of sectarian violence.

Most of the country is now under Iraqi security operations with only some trouble spots left open. The transition, while not militarily a big deal since we will be available to provide support for actions when needed, is politically a big boon for Bush.

And of course, this is a briar-rabbit trap for the left. The left will want to say they forced America into a retreat and surrender! That will be their prime reason rationale for opposing Bush – they wanted to surrender years ago and Bush waited until now.

God help the left when they try that line on. Oh, I see they beat me to the punch:

Democratic leaders hammered away at the president’s latest effort to win public support for the war. “Instead of launching yet another public relations campaign, President Bush should use his speeches this week to provide a strategy to bring our brave men and women home safely and soon,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said in a statement. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (N.J.) said: “It is time for President Bush to stop the spin and start telling the truth about the harsh realities we are confronting in Iraq.”

Ah. The sweet sound of the left rallying to America’s defeat. No wonder they like the French as allies. They all salute with both hands in the air.