Some weight behind the Guardian's report

More weight to the the Guardian's recent report of a detailed plan of a "last big push" on Iraq including a temporary escalation. Tony Snow coyly dodges the question at the gaggle,

Q The Guardian had a report yesterday that Bush is considering sending 30,000 additional troops to Iraq for one last push. Does that have any conception of reality?

MR. SNOW: I'm not going to try to characterize anything. We saw the report, but I don't want to get into the thicket of trying to characterize it. The best thing to do on that is to throw that over to the Pentagon and let them give you the answer.

I believe -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- The Guardian story was based on at least what they considered a leak about Pentagon ruminations about possible ways forward, at a time when General Pace is conducting a comprehensive review. I think the best thing to do is to let General Pace do that review and provide a report and then we'll --

Q So it's just not true?

MR. SNOW: I don't know.

The plan/outline was prepared by Pentagon officials, but is part of the ISG's proposals and is being circulated in draft form in the White House.

According to the Guardian piece, "President George Bush has told senior advisers that the US and its allies must make "a last big push" to win the war in Iraq." Not the Pentagon, Tony.

On the other side, at the hearing the other day, Abizaid comes out strongly against more troops.

So, after all this time influencing the generals not to ask for more troops, is the White House about to force more troops on them? Politicians dictating a ground strategy? No, it's nothing like Vietnam.