LAT threatens Bush

"Congress' vote on Iraq war is only a prelude" says the newspaper. "A September progress report on the troop buildup could turn up the political heat on Bush and Republicans." Well maybe, but what if the surge works?

In a piece by Doyle McManus labeled "News Analysis" on page A12 but not labeled at all on the front page, the LAT claims that Republicans will turn against Bush and vote with anti-war Democrats after Gen. Petraeus makes his promised progress report on the war in September. Obviously, this is speculation. Neither McManus nor the LAT has a crystal ball. No one can predict what Petraeus will report in September. So why speculate? Why not report the news instead?