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But, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid insists the administration's Iraq policy is adrift. "It is neither sustainable nor likely to lead to success", he claims.

If the Iraq policy is floundering, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are not observing that situation. They see ordinary Iraqis as financially better off now than they have been at any time in the past two decades. Per capita income has doubled since 2003. Iraq's gross domestic product is now twice that of Yemen and nearing that of Egypt and Syria. This is happening in a place where just three years ago anti-war protesters were claiming children were starving en masse.

At this moment more than 3,000 reconstruction projects are underway or completed. A $450,000 cultural center in Nasiriyah was build by the Italian government. The Greeks have built a new hospital in Kabul. Marshlands have been restored in southern Iraq. Appliances and luxuries fill stores and customers are actually purchasing them. Internet cafes, which under the former dictator would have warranted a death sentence, can now be found everywhere. Banks, restaurants and a wide variety of stores now stand where only a year ago there was nothing but abandoned buildings and empty lots.

Still, Senator Charles Schumer charges." nobody sees a light at the end of the tunnel."

It can be argued that the Bush administration has been inept at making its case on Iraq. That is a given, even by Republicans. However, there is little for which it should apologize. In Iraq there is political debate. Dissent is tolerated; compromises are made on a daily basis. Free elections have been held with far greater participation than we see in the United States.

While these things are taking place on the domestic and political front, 9,903 terrorists have been recommended for continued internment and between 250 and 300 more terrorists are captured each month. 9,000 Iraqi's are training to become soldiers and 10,000 more citizens are on the waiting list to receive military training. More than 20 American bases including Saddam Hussein's 1,000-acre palace complex in Tikrit, have been returned to the Iraqi government. These are all things, which were planned and are clear examples of progress being made. This should be seen as progress by anyone who looks at the entire Iraq landscape. However, Democrat officials still see nothing but dark holes and failure.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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