USA Today:
President Bush, in a political shift, said Thursday that setting benchmarks to measure progress in Iraq "makes sense" in working out an agreement with Congress on a military spending bill.
But he rejected the idea of Democratic leaders in the House for "haphazard" funding, in a two-month increment that would keep a tight rein on the president's conduct of the war.
Like I said, Bush would have to cave, since there was no way he could fund the war himself. This isn't an 'end of the war' moment -- it's a damn sight long way away from that. But it is Bush reversing an earlier position.
At this point, however, Bush has lost the benefit of any doubt. His idea of 'benchmarks' might just mean a wishlist for Iraq with no consequences if goals aren't met -- i.e., more toothless bullshit. I'll believe real policy change when I see it.
