Victory is not an Option?

Or so they say. In the meantime, what exactly is the Surge designed to do? In part, it's intention is to pacify Baghdad and impose a workable security in the capital and far-flung Anbar province both.

Who has caused the largest problem in Baghdad in the last twelve-months? Hint: It's the militia's, stupid. The Godfather of the Shiite militia's is of course none-other than Moqtada Al-Sadr.

Personally, I thought a stray bullet in 2004 would have gone a long way to solving the problem he and his Mahdi Army present. Al-Sadr walked the line at that point and lived to wreak havoc another day.

As the Surge begins, we get word that Al-Sadr has apparently slunk out of sight...all the way out of the country for that matter:

According to senior military officials, al Sadr left Baghdad two to three weeks ago and fled to Tehran, Iran, where he has family.

Al Sadr commands the Mahdi army, one of the most formidable insurgent militias in Iraq, and his move coincides with the announced U.S. troop surge in Baghdad.

Sources believe al Sadr is worried about an increase of 20,000 U.S. troops in the Iraqi capital. One official told ABC News' Martha Raddatz, "He is scared he will get a JDAM [bomb] dropped on his house."

So what does this mean? Well, I can almost see CQ laughing: "This couldn't have come at a better time. Congress has tied itself in knots trying to opine on what a disaster the surge will be, and before they can vote on a resolution scolding George Bush for wasting resources, he's already chased one of the worst actors out of Baghdad. Nancy Pelosi will be holding a debate to disapprove of a strategy that has already demonstrated success."

The Democrats are so convinced that their "Can't work" rhetoric is true and correct that they risk looking awfully foolish if the situation improves markedly. And should it, I will point and laugh, only after thanking God for the change in fortune.