[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

merely an attempt to associate himself with positive developments in Iraq - formation of the new government and last week's killing of the country's most feared terrorist.

Does the writer think that these things would have happened without Bush?

[Jameison]

"Does the writer think that these things would have happened without Bush?"

Exactly!
How can President Bush "attempt to associate himself" with something that he started, and has continued to execute with resolve , despite constant attacks from the same lame brain media?
That's like telling me I am "attempting to associate myself" with my own job that I do every day.