That's Minister al-Sadr

In a move that shows that Bush can be pragmatic, Reuters is reporting that in exchange for the Mehdi army's laying down of weapons, al-Sadr could "create a political party that could take part in elections early next year."

I'm sure there are those on the Right that will see this as further capitulation to 'insurgents' and other demonized groups. I don't frame the issue in this way.

In a Rose Garden press conference today:

Q: Mr. President, you've referred to Muqtada al-Sadr as a thug, and your administration has promised to bring him to justice. Is it appropriate for the new interim Iraqi government to now welcome him into the political fold?

PRESIDENT BUSH: The interim Iraqi government will deal with al-Sadr in the way they see fit. That's -- they're sovereign. When we say we transfer full sovereignty, we mean we transfer full sovereignty. And they will deal with him appropriately.

Bush is doing exactly the right thing here. By putting off the the Mehdi/al-Sadr issue until after 30 June, he gives the Iraqis the impression that they'll be able to control their own destinies(the U.S. military exempted).

I think that Bush is showing some real pragmatic leadership on this issue.