Early ISG spin from the White House

CNN has the first ISG leak. Perhaps the most interesting bit was this,

Sources said a major theme in the report by the group, co-chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton, is a blunt assessment that the mission in Iraq will fail unless the Bush administration and the newly elected Democratic Congress come together to deal with the declining support for the war within the United States.

However, I would point out that this CNN leak, coming almost immediately after the White House/ISG breakfast, would likely be the White House trying to put an early frame on the day's news.

How much would they like the today's debate to be "Iraq will fail if the Democrats won't work with the President?"

So, take this "leak" in its context.

Later: Bush's very brief statement after the meeting echoes the "Democrats must work with us" line.

While they (members of Congress) won't agree with every proposal -- and we probably won't agree with every proposal -- it, nevertheless, is an opportunity to come together and to work together on this important issue.

The country, in my judgment, is tired of pure political bickering that happens in Washington, and they understand that on this important issue of war and peace, it is best for our country to work together. And I understand how difficult that is, but this report will give us all an opportunity to find common ground, for the good of the country -- not for the good of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, but for the good of the country.

Umm, Mr. Bush? That "bickering" you're trying to put to the side is your 59.5% average disapproval rating and your 60+% disapproval on Iraq.