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A CONFIDENT BUSH stood in the Rose Garden less than a month ago, saying, ?Conditions in most of Iraq are growing more peaceful,? boasting of ?dismantling the al Qaeda operation? and pronouncing ?pretty good progress? toward Middle East peace and a Palestinian state within two years.
Those sunny characterizations may yet prove true, but Bush allies and foes alike are coming to the conclusion that the progress may not be noticeable by the time Bush faces the voters again in 15 months. For a president who has staked his reputation on making ?a tough decision to make the world more peaceful,? this could be a big problem.