During the Gates hearing this morning, Carl Levin asked him this simple question.

Levin: Mr. Gates, do you believe that we are currently winning in Iraq?

Gates: No, sir.

Video-WMP Video-QT

Steve finds that Bush and Snow have a different opinion on Iraq...

George W. Bush, six weeks ago:

Q: Are we winning?

BUSH: Absolutely, we’re winning...read on

He also says we'll need troops there for a long time---although it could be with a dramatically smaller force. Will the right wingers complain that Gates has emboldened the enemy by stating the obvious truth in Iraq?