Gen. Casey, top commander in Iraq reporting to the Senate

Quotes lifted from from today's Middle East Online.

Our guest today is the top US commander in Iraq, General George Casey.

General Casey, how are things in Iraq?.

General George Casey warns conditions may worsen in Iraq ....

Oh, how are things looking for the constitution?

Casey predicted in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the constitution would likely be approved in the October 15 vote even if, as expected, Sunnis vote against it by a large majority.

That's better, the constitution will pass. That should help the situation. Right?

But when asked whether the situation could worsen in Iraq even if the constitution is approved but with a large Sunni "no" vote, Casey said, "I think that's entirely possible."

Oh, that's not good.

But there's is good news:

The last time Casey reported to Congress several months ago, he said three battalions were fully capable.

Three Active Battalions! That's a great start! Where are we now? Five? Ten? Twenty?

Other senators sharply questioned the progress being made by in Iraq, zeroing in on a disclosure by Casey that only one Iraqi battalion was operating fully independently.

I see a hand up. Yes, go ahead, sir.

"It was three. Now it's gone from three to one?" interjected Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona.

General Casey, your response to this?

"Things change in a battalion. We're making assessments on leadership, on training. There are a lot of variables that are involved here, senator," Casey said.

Damn.