The military surge may or may not be working in Iraq. But George Bush’s political surge appears to be working at home.

His surprise Labor Day visit demonstrates the power of the President – even a poll-ravaged lame-duck President – to command the political heights on foreign affairs.

How can this be? How can a President as unpopular as Bush – who lied to get us into a disastrous and unpopular war in Iraq – be dominating the political debate about the war?

One reason is that the Democratic presidential candidates are MIA on the issue. It’s all Labor, all the time, right now.

Another reason is that Congress is gone. This month, the debate will resume. But the President always has an inherent debating advantage over the confusing cacophony of Congress.

Then there’s timing. The much-awaited surge report from the military is due next week, September 10. The next day, of course, come the inevitable reminders of the 9/11 attack.

Plus, Bush is covering his flanks by hinting at troop reductions next spring.

Not long ago, Bush said Iraq is a lot like Vietnam. It may be, but not for the reason he cited.

It’s like Vietnam in that we have a President set on “peace with honor.” Americans like the ring of that better than “cut and run.”

It’s like Vietnam in that Washington tells us the ultimate solution is up to the Iraqis. Just like Vietnamization.

It’s like Vietnam in that the most powerful voice on what happens may come from the President’s own party. In 1968, it was Clark Clifford, LBJ’s Secretary of Defense. Today’s Clark Clifford may be Senator John Warner of Virginia.

But here’s why Iraq is not like Vietnam: Bush went to Iraq.

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