Define "Winning"

Recently the new nominee for the Secretary of Defense has claimed that 'he doesn't believe that we're winning in Iraq.' Here's an excerpt from Breitbart in which Gates is quoted:

Gates, 63, said he believes President Bush wants to see Iraq improve to the point where it can govern and defend itself, while seeking a new approach. "What we are now doing is not satisfactory," Gates said.

"In my view, all options are on the table, in terms of how we address this problem in Iraq," he added.

Asked point-blank by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., whether the U.S. is winning in Iraq, Gates replied, "No, sir."

Much of the hearing's questioning focused on whether Gates would provide independent advice to Bush, and the former CIA director assured the committee that he would not shirk from that duty.

(Emphasis added)

Now what I find interesting is what Drudge points out today about Tony Snow disagreeing with the situation. I find it quite odd that prior to his nomination that he's throwing the administration and Rumsfeld under the bus. Gates is lining us up for more problems if he already isn't seeing eye-to-eye with the administration.

I expect the SoD to be a loyal individual to our President and to serve him, as we would expect from an employee. We will succeed in Iraq as we are winning the battle. Wars do not last months and democracies don't grow overnight. Our success is not only covered up by the MSM but also by the liberal mouthpieces that only know how to disagree.

HT: Drudge