Is Al-Queda and Iraq linked together. Absolutely. Just as Iraq and Hamas, Iran and Fatah, and PA and the Egyptian Brotherhood. It's all one big organization (which you are aware of) and not a bunch of independent actors.
And the CIA and other intel agencies come out constantly with info to try and "prove" the president wrong every time he tries to make his point.
It's infuriating. And a dangerous game. But I think you're right about what is going on.
Having said that, however, he is the president and as such, the most powerful man in the world. The soldiers are doing their part protecting us and much as I love this president, I would like him to do what he needs to do at home to make sure that people understand why we have GOT to support our soldiers.
And if that means it gets ugly in the press, let it. But if he got up before the American people with charts and articles and various and asundry bits of "proof" that we have here on FR, more people would accept his word than the media's.
Their ratings are in the toilet. 30 odd percent approval ratings. People don't trust the media. More people will trust the president.
Just my opinion and I could easily be wrong. I'm the one who told my husband after meeting him when he ran that he couldn't win because he's great in person but doesn't come across on television :-)