The MSM and the Democrats are certainly hoping for failure....it will play into their anti-U.S. strategy. The next few days will be critical......I think the situation is slowly converting into a Shia/Sunni conflict. The Shias, for most part, have held their peace in spite of numerous provocations from the Sunnis and Al Quaida in Iraq (Al Zarqawi).
Hopefully, the Iraqi govt. and the Bush Administration should be able to quieten things in the next few days. One way or the other, this conflict must be nipped in the bud. I fear that Iran may take this opportunity to spread its influence through the Shiite clerics in Iraq (who have mostly remained loyal to Al Sistani).
Iran must be the prime suspect. But, for the Iraqis, the leaders of both, or all, sides are urging their people to chill.
It is beyond unconscionable that we have a news media and a political party both doing everything they can to see to our defeat in Iraq.
Maybe many are secretly hoping for a full blown civil war because it will force us to do what most Americans would like to do. GET THE HELL OUT.