Wait for Gen. Petraeus

The push by Senate Democrats and a small number of Republicans to repudiate the current U.S.-Iraqi military offensive and force a retreat makes no military sense, and has no prospect of immediate political success. But it should be a warning to the Iraqi government that time is running out for the political reforms that are an essential part of the strategy being pursued by President Bush.

In the near term, through September, when Gen. David Petraeus is scheduled to report on the results of the "surge" offensive, President Bush should get the political support to continue with the present strategy.

The president has said the future course of the American commitment in Iraq will be up for reconsideration at that time. On Tuesday, Mr. Bush said it would be premature to make any judgments until he and the Congress hear from Gen. Petraeus.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., returned last week from a visit to Iraq. He says, "In the short term, the best thing we can do is strand behind General Petraeus. The demise of al-Qaida is possible and will occur if we keep the pressure on."

But in the longer term, the action - or lack of action - by the Iraqi government on key measures to promote political unity in Iraq will play a larger role than the current military offensive in determining the future of Iraq and the U.S. role there.

A report on Iraq's political progress, due to arrive on Capitol Hill today, will paint a mixed picture, according to unnamed U.S. officials who spoke with The Associated Press. Sen. Graham was blunt: "The central dysfunction of the Iraqi government is real. I am in many ways more depressed about the political reconciliation in the short term."

Many Democrats will undoubtedly use the gloomy side of the report as an argument for a quick retreat. But the fight against al-Qaida is just getting into high gear. Sen. Graham urged his Democratic colleagues, "Wait until September. Don't be the cavalry for al-Qaida. Don't pull the rug out from under the troops."

Democrats gained the support of seven Republicans Wednesday for an amendment to require a minimum time in the United States between troop deployments to Iraq, but fell four votes short of the required 60 votes needed to end debate under filibuster rules. The president won that battle, but his margin of support in the Senate is shrinking. The Iraqi government should take heed.