The Report is in

The Iraq Study Groups Report presented their report to the President. The New York Times reports:

Saying that "the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating," a bipartisan commission today urged stepped-up diplomatic and political efforts to stabilize that country, coupled with a shift in the mission of U.S. forces to allow the United States to "begin to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly." This could allow all U.S. combat brigades "not necessary for force protection" to be out of Iraq by the first quarter of 2008, the Iraq Study Group’s report said.

The President said he’d take their ideas seriously and respond in a timely fashion. Already the White House is trying to find wiggle room. Press Secretary Tony Snow is saying the report didn’t set any timetables for withdrawal. The report doesn’t give a rosy picture to the White House. It calls for the US to negotiate with Syria and Iran, something the administration does not want to do. Though many in Washington from both parties hope the President will follow most of the Iraq Study Groups recommendations, I don’t think he’ll do it unless his hands are totally tied and he doesn’t have any choice but to do it. Bush doesn’t want to withdraw any troops and he doesn’t want to talk to Syria and Iran. He’d probably rather invade Iran instead. I’ll report what the reactions are to the report later on this week.