It’s just getting harder and harder for the Democrats to come up with excuses for failure in Iraq. The U.S. Department of Defense is reporting that U.S. troops begin coming home tomorrow, November 27:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2007 – The first reduction in American forces in Iraq is under way as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division heads back to Fort Hood, Texas.

The brigade will not be replaced. Roughly 162,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq in 20 brigade teams or their Marine equivalents. If all goes well, this will drop to 15 brigade combat teams over the next eight months, Navy Rear Adm. Gregory J. Smith, a spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq in Baghdad, said Nov. 24.

Iraqi security forces are attaining the expertise and operational capabilities needed to police their own country, Smith said. Iraqi forces are taking over more of the battle space in Baghdad and around the country.

“Current conditions allow for a withdrawal of the first unit … starting on Nov. 27,” Smith said. “If conditions continue to permit, a total of five brigade combat teams will be redeployed over the next eight months.”

The redeployment of the brigade shows the coalition’s confidence in Iraqi security forces and reflects the overall improved security in the country, Smith said. The brigade – based in Diyala province – will not leave a vacuum in the province.

Army COL David Sutherland, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, added:

“These concerned local citizens understand that the future of Iraq can be better if they get involved in ridding the province of al Qaeda and participate in the development of their own democracy.

“As I’ve said on numerous occasions, we cannot kill our way out of this.  In Diyala, when the government loses its will, the people lose hope and they turn to other sources to provide that hope.  Today, there is hope in Diyala.”

HOOAH!

Cross-posted @: Bottom Line Up Front

1. Well, since the donkeys can’t lose the war on the ground, they’ve turned to losing the war in the Iraqi parliament. It’s not a matter of us losing to al Qaida, it’s now a matter of the Iraqis not finding a political solution to their sectarian and regional squabbles.

   And that will lead to the undoing of either the donkeys (if a solution is found by the Iraqi “leaders”) or of the U.S. efforts there (if the Maliki government can’t perform.)

   My prayer is that it’s the former. Losers, and those who promote losing, are such vipers.

   Comment by Carlos — November 27, 2007 @ 9:20 am

2. Well, when has reality interfering with bullshit ever stopped the Democrats.

   Comment by T. A. Gray — November 27, 2007 @ 9:35 am