Bush is laying the groundwork for a report to the US public that the surge has been a success. The facts state otherwise, but Bush and his handlers latest spin is that local progress is dramatic and good, but the central government isn't showing the same success.
To make his point, Bush presented his weekly radio address with this goal. The address was titled "The way forward in Iraq." Bush cited three examples of progress: Muthannna, Diyala and Ninewa provinces. Today, the Governor of Muthanna province was assasinated by a roadside bomb.
Here is apartial transcript of his radio address(emphasis mine):
In other provinces, there are also signs of progress from the bottom up. In Muthanna, an overwhelmingly Shia province, the local council held a public meeting to hear from citizens on how to spend their budget and rebuild their neighborhoods. In Diyala province, the city of Baqubah re-opened six of its banks, providing residents with much-needed capital for the local economy. And in Ninewa province, local officials have established a commission to investigate corruption, with a local judge empowered to pursue charges of fraud and racketeering.
Unfortunately, political progress at the national level has not matched the pace of progress at the local level
Here is a news report of the governor of Muthanna province being killed by a roadside bomb. This happened today, 1-1/2 days after Bush's speech about local progress.
Is this Bush's Way forward in Iraq ?
Read what experts have to say about the surge in a diary called: Surge Failing, 108 Foreign Policys Experts and Poll Reportsby OneCrankyDom.