But It's Seven More than Zero

Baghdad has not met 11 of its 18 political and security goals, according to a new independent report on Iraq. That's a 38% success rate...woot woot!

The study, conducted by the Government Accountability Office, determined that four benchmarks — instead of two which they had originally ruled — had been partially met.

But GAO stuck with its original contention that only three major goals out of the 18 had been achieved. The goals met include establishing joint security stations in Baghdad, ensuring minority rights in the Iraqi legislature and creating support committees for the Baghdad security plan.

GAO's findings paint a bleaker view of progress in Iraq than offered by the president in July, who probably looked at their assessment and felt like something was achieved...let's not forget what kind of academic marks he got. That's actually better than his current approval rating.

All in all, even the non-partisan view of our progress in the war is bleak. Do I hear glasses clinking in Washington? This war is great!