Keep in mind that a necessary ingredient for an insurgency is a considerable amount of popular support.

I don't think anyone claims that the Bush administration has exactly won the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

The US represents force and authority in Iraq. Power is in the people and if the largest sentiment swings to the insurgents we cannot win. Power can only be repressed by authority and the threat of violence as long as that authority is steadfast in its repression.

The alternative is to win over the people and get them on the same page of the playbook with you. This administration has not done a very good job of doing that so far.

Publius