The BBC was told by a senior administration source that the speech setting out changes in Mr Bush's Iraq policy is likely to come in the middle of next week. Its central theme will be sacrifice. The speech, the BBC has been told, involves increasing troop numbers.
So, here we go, boys and girls. With the de-facto partitioning of Iraq well under way, we're seeing the endgame, and it is not a pretty picture. Well, at least the prez will be able to leave office with the claim that he was never able to see his mission through because the Democrats wouldn't let him. His fanbase might even support that vision.