As much as CNN tries to cover for the Obamessiah, even they acknowledge at the end of the report that is what he is doing. And while the story is couched in terms of “both candidates are changing,” the fact is McCain has not, and is not, changing.

Maybe Obama read this Washington Post editorial last week suggesting he would have to change his position on Iraq because (dammit) we are winning the freakin’ thing.

Iraq passed a turning point last fall when the U.S. counterinsurgency campaign launched in early 2007 produced a dramatic drop in violence and quelled the incipient sectarian war between Sunnis and Shiites. Now, another tipping point may be near, one that sees the Iraqi government and army restoring order in almost all of the country, dispersing both rival militias and the Iranian-trained “special groups” that have used them as cover to wage war against Americans. It is — of course — too early to celebrate; though now in disarray, the Mahdi Army of Moqtada al-Sadr could still regroup, and Iran will almost certainly seek to stir up new violence before the U.S. and Iraqi elections this fall. Still, the rapidly improving conditions should allow U.S. commanders to make some welcome adjustments — and it ought to mandate an already-overdue rethinking by the “this-war-is-lost” caucus in Washington, including Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). [snip]

If the positive trends continue, proponents of withdrawing most U.S. troops, such as Mr. Obama, might be able to responsibly carry out further pullouts next year. Still, the likely Democratic nominee needs a plan for Iraq based on sustaining an improving situation, rather than abandoning a failed enterprise. That will mean tying withdrawals to the evolution of the Iraqi army and government, rather than an arbitrary timetable; Iraq’s 2009 elections will be crucial. It also should mean providing enough troops and air power to continue backing up Iraqi army operations such as those in Basra and Sadr City. When Mr. Obama floated his strategy for Iraq last year, the United States appeared doomed to defeat. Now he needs a plan for success.

Love that last line about needing a plan for success. We all know the left had its plan for defeat. That plan hasn’t worked out so well for them. Why the hell should we now trust any Democrat to come up with a plan for success, especially the cut-and-run types like Obama? They told us that we lost the war. They have forfeited their right to claim any part of the success in Iraq, and proven themselves untrustworthy to manage it going forward. Let’s not forget, Bush got all the blame when it was going badly, and now he gets all the credit.

Also find Bill Dupray at The Patriot Room