ABC Actually Admits There's Good News From Iraq

Here's the kicker: They say it would seem to benefit John McCain but it could actually help Barack Obama.

Go figure.

Their strong views on the Iraq War helped them stand out from their competitors during the presidential primaries.

And Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama's sharp policy differences on the conflict continue to define them as the presumptive nominees prepare for the general election.

But the recent spurt of good news out of Iraq -- from the drop in American casualties to the increasing political stability of the Maliki government -- presents new challenges for both candidates and could change the dynamic of the race.

Recent success in Iraq "would seem to hurt Obama, but it seems as though many Americans have a fixed opinion about this and are impervious to changing facts," said James E. Campbell, chairman of the political science department at the University of Buffalo.

"It will take some time and continued success in Iraq to change those numbers."

Obama, who touts his early opposition to the war and was skeptical of the surge policy last summer that increased the number of American troops on the ground, has acknowledged that things have improved in Iraq. But Obama has said that good news only reinforces his argument that troops should start withdrawing from Iraq.

He's acknowledged things have improved? Uh, when did that occur? Seeing how certain people (read: Democrats) are impervious to changing facts, no amount of good news is going to make the Kool-Aid-guzzling Obama worshippers change their minds.

While there remains a sharp partisan break, with 83 percent of Democrats saying things are going badly versus 29 percent of Republicans, a majority of independents agree with the Democrats.

Maybe if the media gave equal time to reporting good news as they have to bad, there'd be a shift in public opinion. But we all know that will never happen.

Although on some rare occasions, the good news from Iraq and in the war against Al Qaeda actually does trickle out.

Considering this is Obama's plan for Iraq, perhaps the media should do a little more investigating and analysis and explain how it would work.