Petraeus: "We are, in short, a long way from the goal line, but we do have the ball and we are driving down the field."

"Text of Petraeus Letter" from the AP is the communication sent to the sailors, soldiers, Marines of the Multi-National Force in Iraq. 

Up front, my sense is that we have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq. The result has been progress in the security arena, although it has, as you know, been uneven. Additionally, as you all appreciate very well, innumerable tasks remain and much hard work lies ahead. We are, in short, a long way from the goal line, but we do have the ball and we are driving down the field.

Petraeus goes through and details the progress being made by the troops under daunting conditions and some of the disappointments on the political front. 

It is appropriate and heartening that he is choosing to communicate first with his troops before the politicians in Washington and the global pundits - as it should be.

Michelle Malkin weighs in...