All this optimism, yet ABC is suprised!

ABC reports:

Surprising levels of optimism prevail in Iraq with living conditions improved, security more a national worry than a local one, and expectations for the future high.

Huh. Imagine that. In just three years, the Iraqis are taking to Democracy like ducks to water, the rest of the Middle East (whether covered or not) are wondering when they get their turn…and it’s all a big freaking surprise to a major organization charged with gathering and delivering information. And yet…so many of us are not surprised at all.

Those of us who actually find Joe Lieberman more credible than, say, Howard Dean, are not surprised. Says Ed Morrissey:

This looks like the progress that Joe Lieberman mentioned when he returned from his last visit from Iraq and tried to explain to his colleagues that preaching disaster and falling skies simply didn’t match reality. Another point also demonstrates the lies that Democrats have used in trying to scare the American public into losing the war. It turns out that 80% of Iraqis don’t want the Americans out “right now”, but only 26%. In fact, 52% want the US to leave no sooner than when their army and security forces have received adequate training to handle internal and external threats by themselves — which is exactly what the Bush administration plan requires.

Democrat rhetoric aside, no, none of this is surprising.

On the Border is not surprised, and gives charitable props to ABC for finally reporting it.

SoCal Pundit is not surprised, and he’s a little less charitable.

Beth is not surprised, and she’s proud of her marines.

Don Singleton does not find it surprising.

Jason does not find it surprising:so, let’s review that. In Iraq,
1. Most living conditions are rated positively,
2. 70% of Iraqis say their own lives are going well,
3. Nearly 2/3 of Iraqis expect things to improve in the year ahead,
4. Over 60% of Iraqis feel very safe in their own neighborhoods,
5. 61% of Iraqis say local security is good,
6. Average household incomes have soared by 60% in the last 20 months,
7. 70% of Iraqis rate their own economic situation positively.

Yet ABC News is “surprised”. That is not surprising.

Actually, if you look at the facts in Iraq, some Americans may get envious.

Jason does wonder, though, what the hell is the matter with liberals, sometimes.

Dr. Sanity is not surprised, but she is digusted that the press, not liking the election story, is focusing on something else. Two guesses – it’s not the vote, and it’s not the Iraqi/AlQ connections.

Tigerhawk is not surprised, but he wonders why so many seem confused.

La Malkin is not surprised, and she is rounding up others who are not.

Polipundit is not surprised, and has predictions.

But ABC – a news organization that’s supposed to be on top of things – was surprised.

Things are getting very interesting. And you know what, the NY Times is correct: everything really is Bush’s fault