Remember how Magical September was going to split the GOP?

Look how USNews.com's Political Bulletin covers a story in today's Washington Post:

"Surge" May Be Splitting Democrats

The Washington Post, in a front-page story this morning, reports congressional Republicans and Democrats are seeking to "gain momentum before the next political showdown over the war. Republican leaders have seized upon any positive statements from lawmakers returning from Iraq to portray Democratic leaders as wedded to failure there while the Democratic Party grows increasingly divided over the war's progress." Democratic Rep. Brian Baird "said yesterday that he will no longer vote for binding troop withdrawal timelines," while Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney suggested "that his trip to Iraq made him more flexible in his search for a bipartisan accord."

Are we going into Magical September -- which was supposed to break Republican backs on the occupation -- losing Democrats?

Man, I hope that's just bad media spin. Brian? Jerry? Are you guys seeing this:

War non-critic Michael O'Hanlon's own data says this is the deadliest summer yet for American troops.

June-July-August 2003: 113 Americans killed
June-July-August 2004: 162 Americans killed
June-July-August 2005: 217 Americans killed
June-July-August 2006: 169 Americans killed
June-July-August 2007: 229 Americans killed (August not over yet)

(Source: http://www3.brookings.edu/... (page 18) )

And look what else USNews has got:

US Planning Substantial Troop Drawdown The AP reports U.S. military officials are "narrowing the range of Iraq strategy options and appear to be focusing on reducing the U.S. combat role in 2008 while increasing training of Iraqi forces."

Holy mackeral! A story about U.S. officials planning substantial troop drawdowns? It must be real. More real than the previous four times, stretching back three years? Well, sure! Of course! Time for some good, old fashioned flexibility in the search for bipartisan accord!

But between those two items, and yet another (Petraeus To Testify On... 9/11 Anniversary! -- I'm sure that won't color the testimony) it's looking like there's a truly Magical September in store for us. At least if USNews has its way.

And don't forget that the Congress will have to address Bush's vetoes of pretty much every single appropriations bill before the new fiscal year starts on October 1st.

Oh, and fix FISA.

Oh, and make up their minds about whether or not to pursue the contempt of Congress charges the "administration" says it will block.

Oh, and fight Bush over his new plans to kill children's health care.

But that's it. I swear.

UPDATE: Blue Jersey has some hopeful notes hinting at Republican movement. Man, I hope so. That's what this was supposed to be all about.

UPDATE II: Several commenters have noted that Jerry McNerney appears to have regained his senses and clarified his commitment to ending the occupation. I expect that he will impress this point on his colleagues (both Democrats and Republicans) with all of the evangelistic zeal of the born again.

UPDATE IIA: McNerney's here to tell it his way.