More Perception=Reality from BushCo

As multiple attacks ravage Iraq (see story), the Bush Administration responds with an all-out, no-holds-barred campaign of... positive PR.

The Bush administration, battling negative perceptions (sic) of the Iraq war, is sending Iraqi Americans to deliver what the Pentagon calls "good news" about Iraq to U.S. military bases, and has curtailed distribution of reports showing increasing violence in that country.

The unusual public-relations effort by the Pentagon and the U.S. Agency for International Development comes as details have emerged showing the U.S. government and a representative of President Bush's reelection campaign had been heavily involved in drafting the speech given to Congress last week by interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. Combined, they indicate that the federal government is working assiduously to improve Americans' opinions about the Iraq conflict -- a key element of Bush's reelection message.

Please note: "the federal government is working assiduously to improve Americans' opinions about the Iraq conflict", without actually doing anything to improve the situation in Iraq itself.

By the way, please note where the Post chose to position this piece. Yup, page A20.