I often feel as though I'm one of the few left of center people who actually believe we can--and must--be successful in Iraq. The can part comes from my belief that Iraq is capable and that they really want a safe, secure and prosperous nation. But we have to show the Iraqis we are truly on their side.

Of course I realize we need a specific plan. One of the things I focus on specifically is the need for a concise reconstruction plan. An interview with Dahr Jamail on Democracy Now this morning described why:

The most common quote that I heard from doctors when I was working on this report is that ‘Our situation now is worse than it was even during the sanctions.’ In sum, disastrous levels of medicine shortages, equipment shortages, supply shortages, and almost no reconstruction happening

And then there is this from today's Progress Report:

The United Nations reports that Iraqis are now "selling their own blood to people who are buying supplies for relatives in need, due to a shortage." The problem is severe -- "hundreds of donors can be seen standing outside the blood bank" each day in Baghdad.

This is not going to win hearts or minds. No bid contracts to companies who overcharge and don't do anything is not only bad economics, but bad for our strategic goals.

Any good CEO or manager would be running a tight ship with regards to what they produce. Surely the President should do the same. Maybe we need to start a "Reconstruct Iraq Now" web petition. There's a lot of petitions for a specific plan, but few are focusing strongly enough on reconstruction. We won't win without reconstruction.