By Bush's Own Standard, Surge Has Failed  —  Before Gen. David Petraeus' report, and to give it a context of optimism, the president visited Iraq's Anbar province to underscore the success of the surge in making some hitherto anarchic areas less so.  More significant, however, was the fact that the president did not visit Baghdad.

The General's Long View Could Cut Withdrawal Debate Short  —  If Gen. David H. Petraeus has his way, tens of thousands of U.S. troops will be in Iraq for years to come.  —  Iraq's armed forces are improving, Petraeus told Congress yesterday.  Overall violence is down.

Anti-Thompson Site Connects to Romney Camp  —  A top adviser to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney appears to be behind today's launch of a new Web site attacking GOP presidential rival Fred Thompson.  —  The site, www.phoneyfred.org, paints an unflattering picture of Thompson …

Clinton to return $850,000 raised by Hsu  —  WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign said Monday it will return $850,000 in donations raised by Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws.

THAT POLL OF IRAQIS  —  There's been a lot of attention to that poll that showed that the great majority of Iraqis (70%) believe that the surge has failed and that security conditions have deteriorated.  But there's a lot more in that poll that's worth looking at.  (Click here for the full results.)

Uh oh...  *Sigh*  —  How can someone so shallow, be so far off the deep end?  —  *Sigh*  —  Give Me A Break!!

Clinton Questions Petraeus  —  After blaming the previous "supine" Congress and Rumsfeld for our current impasse, she repeats that skepticism of Petraeus's report is merited.  She seems to have conceded that there's no chance that the Congress can stop the continued escalation.

New Gig  —  I'm starting a new chapter in my professional career this morning, having been hired as the managing editor for the Atlantic Council of the United States.  Over the next few weeks, I'll be working with CEO Fred Kempe and the senior leadership of the Council in relaunching their Web presence.

Young Muslims begin dangerous fight for the right to abandon faith  —  A group of young Muslim apostates launches a campaign today, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, to make it easier to renounce Islam.  —  The provocative move reflects a growing rift between traditionalists …

65 wounded in Qassam attack  —  Rocket launched from northern Gaza lands in western Negev military base, injures dozens of soldiers, the largest number of casualties from a Qassam attack  —  About 67 Israeli soldiers were wounded after a Qassam rocket launched from northern Gaza landed …