- Republican Sen. John Warner said today he believes the president should send a message to the Iraq government by polling out a number of troops from Iraq by Christmas.

“We must start an orderly, carefully-planned, thought-out redeployment… in my humble judgment, that will get everybody’s attention.”

The White House said the statement and those like it are “inappropriate” but it is a further example of mounting tension between elected GOP officials and the administration.

Though it is a very big symbol of what is going on it is not necessarily a “major development” as little is likely to come from the statement.

- It is being reported by CNN that a major Republican firm with close ties to the White House is actually working to undermine the administration of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Barbour Griffith & Rogers is sending out e-mails criticizing al-Maliki to promite a client former interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi as a replacement.

- Yesterday Senator Hillary Clinton called for the ouster of al-Maliki at the displeasure of John Edwards and the Bush administration. Today it is being reported that September’s NIE reportwill criticize the al-Maliki government calling his admin “unable to govern”. The report will reportedly say that the surge has had an impact and will continue to do so if it continues but that violence will continue as will political instability.

- An odd report has come out which states that Iran is distributing leaflets in Kurdish Iraq claiming “The authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran will work on cleansing this area” and that Turkey is working with the nation to plot an attack. The report was denied by Iran and in all honesty the sources seem less than credible.

Reports claim that these leaflets were dropped yesterday by mysterious helicopters in the region. Is this the work of hysteria or propaganda, maybe some kind of psychological warfare? There has been shelling in the region but not clear sign of a larger imminent attack.

“I know the Democrats are getting all ready, they are measuring the drapes and getting the carpet all ready for how they are going to take over the White House, and I think they are going to get a big surprise,” Romney told a crowd gathered at a golf course. “America is not happy with how the war in Iraq is going, and is angry. But America is not about to take a sharp left turn and put somebody in the White House who would turn America into a European-type state.”

I actually think Romney has a point in there, its one I have been making for a bit on here. The country is ready for a “change” in leadership and are looking for alternatives. That doesn’t mean they are ready to start going completely to the left though. If anything I think the country is moving to the center with two extreme and highly organized flanks that will spent the next year annoying the daylights out of them.

Romney on the other hand should take some advice. He is courting the conservatives for the primary, I understand that. At the same time just as Democrats need to think “moderation” so do Republicans.

In my opinion every campaign manager out there should be reciting one single mantra “moderation”.

From The Hill.

Senator John McCain said voting no to the Iraq spending bill was like “surrendering to al Qaeda”.

Meanwhile Mitt Romney said the vote “singularly defines their lack of leadership and serves as a glaring example of an unrealistic and inexperienced worldview on national security that is regrettably shared by too many of their fellow Capitol Hill Democrats.”

Clinton’s explanation for why she voted against the bill were given on her Web site.

Obama’s explanation can be found on his blog.

Sen. Clinton & Obama along with Sen. Dodd voted against an Iraq funding bill which included the first minimum wage hike since President Clinton was in office. Also running for president & voting Sen. Biden & McCain voted for the bill while Sen. Brownback missed the vote.

You can see the list of votes or read the text of the bill.

Clinton & Obama voted against raising the minimum wage to $7.25 which is up $2.10 an hour as well as giving money to continue funding the war in Iraq.

Moderate House Republicans warned the president yesterday afternoon that his policy on Iraq is hurting the GOP according to a report by MSNBC. According to the article they also warned the president he could not count on their support much longer.

I think during the 2006 elections most people assumed the war would look the same as it did through the 2008 elections but signs are showing that the Republican Party is very concerned about the backlash for the next election. IN addition reports have been coming out that some former heavy hitters for the Bush admin & the party are now moving toward the Democratic position and some to the Democratic candidates as well.

Yesterday retired Generals began a campaign to sway the administration from its policy and in addition the Vice President made a surprise trip to Iraq yesterday and warned the government their time might be running out. 2008 will undoubtedly be about security & about Iraq but unlike 2004 the pendulum of support seems like it is swinging in favor of the Democrats.