Lindsey Graham beams in some 'happy news' from another world at AEI forum

[laststeamtrain]

Graham gives optimistic Iraq assessment
By JAMES W. CRAWLEY
Media General News Service
Thursday, September 6, 2007

WASHINGTON - The surge in Iraq is working and political reconciliation in that war-torn country is coming, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said today.

"The environment is the best it's been since the fall of Baghdad for people to sit down at the table and work through their problems," he told a forum at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank.

Graham, who served two weeks in Iraq as an Air Force reservist this summer, said political changes haven't progressed far yet because of the lag time between better security and politicians sitting down and talking.

Security improvements in several areas of Iraq, including the Sunni stronghold of Anbar province, indicate change is happening, he said.

But he warned that any progress can be erased by politicians in Washington.

"The only way to undercut the surge," he said, "is if Washington sends the wrong message."
Graham's optimistic assessment comes as Washington is digesting a trio of reports about the war in Iraq.

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[Captain Hilts]

1. I'll bet a lot of reservists would like to have just 2 weeks duty in Iraq. Such a deal! nt