Mac Ranger has heard rumors that Bush went to Baghdad to discuss a complete handover of security to Maliki’s government, which could be possible now that Zarqawi and many of his top aides have been killed or rounded up. My guess is the Sunnis are ready to look towards peaceful co-existance without blood-mad foreign fighters rampaging around.

In this breaking reporting of Bush’s trip you can see hints that there may be a sea change in roles and focus.

“I’ve come to not only look you in the eye. I’ve also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word,” Bush told al-Maliki.

“I’ve come today to personally show our nation’s commitment to a free Iraq,” Bush told cheering American troops assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, the heavily fortified Green Zone is where Iraq’s government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are based and a frequent target of insurgent attacks.

“My message to the Iraqi people is this: seize the moment, seize the opportunity to develop a government of and by and for the people,” he said. “I come away from here believing that the will is strong.”

…

Bush made it clear, however, that a U.S. military presence now at about 132,000 troops would continue for awhile.

“I have expressed our country’s desire to work with you, but I appreciate you recognize the fact that the future of the country is in your hands,” Bush said.

Was this a pep talk or a visible demonstration that we will not cut and run despite what people may say in the near future as we ramp down our forces faster than expected?