A friend sends along this press release from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The press release marks the news that 2007 has been the deadliest year for American troops since the start of the war. One thing to note about this press release, however. Unlike, say, this New York Times story on the casualty numbers, Pelosi's release does not mention at all the recent two-month consecutive decline in American troop deaths, nor recent reports from Baghdad that coalition forces have gained the upper hand in their war against Al Qaeda in Iraq. Couldn't you lament this year's casualty numbers while at least noting that things have gotten better in Iraq since Gen. Petraeus began to implement his counterinsurgency strategy? And might it not become a problem for the Democrats if they continue to ignore the gains the coalition has made on the ground in Iraq in recent months?