Murtha Eats Turkey And His Hat

John Murtha is back from a Thanksgiving trip to Iraq, and is now eating his hat.

"I think the 'surge' is working," the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."

His determination to undermine the surge is described, for example, here. Last January, Murtha was determined to cut off funding for the surge.

Allahpundit’s take: “Hell freezes over: “I think the surge is working,” says Murtha,” ends with the question, “Is this the first stirring of the “declare victory and go home” withdrawal strategy?”

That does seem to be the emerging Democrat latest tack on spinning. Allahpundit doesn’t believe it is Bush’s, at least as far as announcing a firm withdrawal schedule.

I think the truth lays somewhere in between. We are beginning the withdrawal of the additional surged troops. Whether the next administration is Democrat or Republican, none of the leading contenders express much enthusiasm for much more than a small continuing force there, nor do any exhibit the steely determination of Bush regarding Iraq.

Our military commanders on scene are careful to be cautious about the prospects of the surge’s gains holding. At the same time, there’s little reason to believe that most Americans are willing to support another surge if that were needed.

So, watch this theme, declare victory and withdraw, to pick up steam.