Is This Report True or Just More Bush BS?

In this article in the New York Times off the record sources are reported as saying that the Bush Administration is looking at cutting back troops in Iraq, beginning in late 2007 and continuing on into 2008. Here is a quote from the article:

The concepts call for a reduction in forces that could lower troop levels by the midst of the 2008 presidential election to roughly 100,000, from about 146,000, the latest available figure, which the military reported on May 1. They would also greatly scale back the mission that President Bush set for the American military when he ordered it in January to win back control of Baghdad and Anbar Province.

The mission would instead focus on the training of Iraqi troops and fighting Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, while removing Americans from many of the counterinsurgency efforts inside Baghdad.

Now, consider the timing of this report. The Republicans in Congress just went through a tough time sustaining Bush's veto. They are being warned by the Democrats that there will be many more votes this summer regarding Iraq. So-called "moderate" Republicans up for election in 2008 are demanding some action by September, although, according to the General in charge, September won't necessarily show much progress from the troop "surge."

What to do if you are the stubborn Bush Administration? Maybe you float this story to try and shore up Republican support with the hope that even if you aren't pulling troops out in September, you will do so by the 2008 election. In short, we think it is just more bs from Bubble-Boy and his gang.