I agree on everything but two points.
First, as I think we all agree, Abbas is a terrorist murderer, and peace with him is very unlikely.
Second, the media have slightly toned down their shrill attacks on Bush and the war, but that is for purely tactical reasons. You can't keep the volume up all the time or people will go deaf. They are still being as negative as they can reporting on Iraq. They are still trying to villify Rumsfeld. They are still eager to suggest that Bush stole Ohio. They are still whining about prisoner abuse. As soon as they see a chance, you can be sure they will leap for Bush's throat yet once more with another lying propaganda campaign of major proportions. They would be absolutely delighted to see Bush lose the war on terror.
There has been some discernible shift in conditions lately...virtual admission of defeat on finding WMD in Iraq, appearances of stagnation in the Sunni triangle. The elections will likely be a PR coup for Bush. I suppose that's why the Dems may be less fervent for the moment.
If Bush goes over the Iranian or Syrian borders, I bet that's when they will go ballistic, perhaps for impeachment. It does seem that something needs to happen to get us out a rut in the Sunni triangle.
The Sunnis may wake up to realize that the train is leaving the station, and they'd better get on board quick if they don't want to get rolled by the rest of the Iraqis. Their complaint is lack of representation as the minority. Well, that's what elections and a constitution are for....they refuse to participate at their own peril.