Thomas Friedman says McCain was "right on the surge." But the story has shifted to Obama's advantage.

Because the surge worked, Iraq is now safe enough to start withdrawing American troops and on a timetable.

What Friedman glances over is that Obama and his party were WRONG on the surge. That if his advice had been followed, there would likely be chaos in Iraq today.

Bush and McCain may have made the world and America safer for an Obama presidency but that's still a pretty big leap of faith, given his misjudgement and lack of experience.

Obama refuses to admit the surge worked, and disparages it every time he is asked about it. The left hammered Bush for not being able to admit mistakes. Bush, knowing that if he did, would be hammered all the more.

But Obama is supposed to be the anti-Bush, Change Man, a new kind of politician that tells the truth even when it is inconvenient. That should include admitting his own misjudgements and mistakes. He has done this occasionally on little things, like his phrasing of how Pennsylvanians hang on to their religion and guns out of bitterness and fear. But Iraq is a big thing. Defeating al Qaida there is hugely important. A peaceful and stable Iraq is hugely important to that region. Giving credit where credit is due would help not hurt his campaign.

UPDATE: But Obama is showing no signs he constitutionally capable of admitting this mistake as this here clearly shows.