] But debate over the Iraq war has gotten far hotter since
] those early months, and the administration continues to
] defend its position in Iraq in terms of the attacks of
] Sept. 11. So the approach of the June 30 deadline for the
] transfer of power in Iraq heightens the political tension
] around all aspects of the war on terror. And that tension
] will crackle around the report of the Sept. 11
] commission, now expected July 26.

I ran across this essay while seeking information about Rice's upcoming testimony on Thursday. I found it an interesting perspective on things.

NPR Essay : Politically Speaking : Getting Ahead of History