Softening the blow and ending the argument on Iraq

Look at the sourcing, that's the key here. A multiple sourced leak of this type would not come out without authorization.

President Bush's senior advisers on Iraq have recommended he stand by his current war strategy, and he is unlikely to order more than a symbolic cut in troops before the end of the year, administration officials told The Associated Press Tuesday.

See, the argument's over. There's no need to look at the reports.