Dems Angry Over Iraq Progress

The Wall Street Journal reports, a new intelligence assessment about Iraq paints an improved picture of the conditions on the ground:

While officials wouldn't describe details, they described the report broadly as supporting the surge strategy advocated by Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S.'s top military commander in Iraq. They said it focuses on improvements in the Iraqi government and in security on the ground.

[. . .]

The purpose of the report, Mr. McConnell has said, was to assess Iraq's "political, economic and security trends." It was requested by Sen. John Warner (R., Va.) and delivered to Congress on Tuesday.

Democrats were quick to try and belittle the new report, asserting it adds little to what is already available in newspapers and that it appears to be designed largely to bolster the administration's Iraq policy.

The New York Times says the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq cites significant, but fragile security improvements and progress toward healing sectarian political rifts:

While the last assessment painted a grim picture of an Iraqi government paralyzed by sectarian strife, the new intelligence estimate cites slow but steady progress by Iraqi politicians on forging alliances between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq, said the government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the document is classified.

Upset over the reported progress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker "not to 'put a shine on recent events' in Iraq," when they testify before Congress next week:

“We have to know the real ground truths of what is happening there, not put a shine on events because of a resolution that looks less violent when in fact it has been dictated by al-Sadr, who can grant or withhold that call for violence,” Pelosi said.

Why can't the Pelosi Democrats just be thankful for the progress we have recently made in the war?