Pols Slug It Out Over Iraq

Verbal bombs flew over the fate of US troops in Iraq this morning, heating up the debate as Congress awaits next month's troop surge report. John Warner, on “Meet the Press,” warned President Bush to “put teeth in these comments that we are not there forever” while Mitch McConnell reminded viewers that Dems coming back from Iraq say the troop surge is working, the Politico reports.

Iraq’s ex-PM got in on the wrangle, blaming Maliki’s “sectarian” style for destabilizing the country and the region. Bill Richardson piped in on “Late Edition,” asking, “Is this guy our ally? The Maliki government is doing nothing.” Hillary Clinton is among those demanding the ouster of Maliki, who shot back that he can “find friends elsewhere” if the US gives up on him. (More Iraq stories.)