Lies, damn lies and headlines.

More journamalism from the AP headline department.

Democrats Praise Military Progress

Folks scanning the big print for the news of the day might be excused for thinking that Democrats have finally seen the wisdom of the Preznit's policies, the success of the surge.

Except that Kimberly Hefling's actual article doesn't say much of anything like that.

Praise? How's this for praise. From Carl Levin, for instance (my emphasis throughout)…

Levin...said the troop build-up could not be considered a success because its purpose was to make way for political reconciliation, and that hasn't happened.

Or Dick Durbin…

Durbin, an Illinois senator who is traveling this week with Pennsylvania Sen. Casey, told CNN on Wednesday that "naturally" troops are routing out al-Qaida in parts of Iraq, but then explained there's no evidence of the government in the areas.

Jack Reed?

Reed, a Rhode Island senator who visited Iraq last month, said there's been tactical momentum, but it "has yet to translate itself into real political momentum, which is the key, I think, to progress."

Bob Casey comes closer…

In a conference call with reporters, Casey said one could make a good argument that U.S. troops have won the war, then accused Iraqi politicians and the Bush administration of not matching the intensity of the troops.

"The troops have met every assignment, they've beaten the odds time and again, they've done everything we've asked them to," Casey said.

…but no cigar there, either. The notion that it's time to declare victory and let our soldiers, who have indeed met their ever-changing job description in Iraq again and again, come home is neither new nor supportive of the Bush war plan.

In fact, there's never been any doubt that in a stand up fight, the combined forces of American infantry, armor, artillery and air support can prevail over insurgents equipped with small arms and booby traps every time. Sure, some of our troops will die, some will be maimed and none will be unaffected, but we can certainly win every battle (thought the odds, to be honest, are significantly stacked in our favor).

Of course, stand up fights are rare in a guerrilla war, and no one believes the real solutions can be found on the battlefield.

One Democrat seems to come nearer to the headline's promise. After being hypnotized briefed by General Petraeus, Rep. Jerry McNerney has decided to "...be a little more flexible about when troops should be brought home."

That's when, not if. Even McNerney remains committed to a timeline for withdrawal. I suppose "flexible" equals a Friedman or so of wiggle room on the schedule.

Don't let 'em grind you down.