Berkley upbeat about progress in Iraq

Rep. Shelley Berkley, a Las Vegas Democrat, who disapproved of the troop surge initially, delivered a generally upbeat report on Iraq Monday, stating,

"This is a difference from what I anticipated," Berkley said. "I did not anticipate the progress and the extraordinary morale of our troops. "They believe they are turning the corner," Berkley said. "Nobody is doing a victory lap at this point, but the reality is the military has done an extraordinary job."

She continued with,

"For years we had heard they weren't ready to take over, but at this point there is such a significant difference," Berkley said. "The Iraqis are truly stepping up to the plate and that accounts for the lowering of violence.

However, according to The Las Vegas Review Journal,

Berkley said she could not say how this week's trip would affect her position on the war.

She has repeatedly voted to bring troops home in the past, and by her ending comment above, it appears she wll not change her vote in the future despite all the good she is seeing. It reminds me of the old saying, "You can bring a horse to water, but cannot make him drink." Given upcoming elections in November 2008, I will bet she will continue to vote for withdraw and defeat.