<h2>Bush in Anbar!</h2>

Commander in Chief surveys surge success & pushes political progress!

In advance of the Petraeus Surge report, President Bush went to Iraq for a face to face meeting with Sunni, Kuridish and Shiite Iraqi leaders and to get first hand report on our progress. Along with Bush, the "A Team" included Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Defense Gates.

President Bush met with Iraqi leaders (from left) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi yesterday during an unannounced visit to the al-Asad air base, west of Baghdad.

President George W. Bush (C) shakes hands withIraqi tribal Leaders during meetings at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, 03 September 2007.

President George W. Bush waves to the crowd as he poses with Marines after speaking at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, 03 September 2007. Addressing cheering Marines at this base in Anbar province, Bush rejected intensifying pressure from the Democratic-led Congress to start pulling troops immediately out of the unpopular war in Iraq. 'Those decisions will be based on a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground, not a nervous reaction by Washington politicians to poll results in the media,' the president said. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON

President George W. Bush (R) greets troops as he has a meeting with Regimental Combat Team 2/MArine Wing Support Squadron Combat Patrol at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, 03 September 2007.AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON

Newly appointed White House Press Secretary Dana Perino (C) poses with US Marines as US President George W. Bush tours Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, 03 September 2007. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON