A USA Today editorial argues that with the recent success of the surge in Iraq, its time to seize the initiative both in Iraq and at home.  In Iraq, political leaders need to take advantage of the relative calm in the security situation to form a more stable and inclusive government - as Secretary Gates and Ambassador Negreponte have recently traveled to Baghdad to encourage.  The editorial also argues that many in Congress are either unwilling or unable to recognize this recent success, and as a result these gains are in jeopardy.

Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, seem lost in a time warp. They could try to impose new benchmarks that acknowledge the military progress. Instead, too many seem unable or unwilling to admit that President Bush's surge of 30,000 more troops has succeeded beyond their initial predictions. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who in the spring declared the war lost, said last week that "the surge hasn't accomplished its goals." Anti-war Democrats remain fixated on tying war funding to a rapid troop withdrawal. Yet pulling the troops out precipitously threatens to squander the progress of recent months toward salvaging a decent outcome to the Iraq debacle.

What's needed is acknowledgement that the surge is achieving what was intended: not complete military victory but enough stability to make political compromise possible. What's missing is Iraqi will to take advantage of the success.

Stephen Barr in the Washington Post is reporting on Congressional Leadership's plan to avoid furloughs during the holidays for up to 100,000 civilian contractors who work for the military.  Majority Leader Hoyer (D) and Appropriations Chairman Obey (D) have stated that the military can borrow funds from their working capital funds, meaning necessary maintenance and contracts would be delayed, though the Pentagon refutes that this would cover the shortfall.  Instead of forcing the military to choose between maintaining their equipment and bases or laying off their personnel, there is a third option - pass a funding bill this week which gives our troops the financial support they need to complete their mission.