Well they've definitely got a new strategy on Iraq, if not in it...

Have lackeys make statements to appease most of the world (those who were against the invasion to begin with, those who are frustrated with the lack of progress, those who have concluded the invasion was a mistake but don't know how to get out, those who own cats, etc), while the White House continues to officially insist that no significant changes to overall strategy are either necessary or forthcoming - this for the 36% of people who may still believe that Iraq actually had WMD at the time of our invasion.

Given all the chatter about "October Surprises," that this public undershift comes in October is not surprising.  The Sybilization of the administration is meant to satisfy two diametrically opposed points of view while attempting to do as it has always done and remain unfettered by bothersome plans, particularly of the viable or concrete persuasions.  Empty rhetoric is apparently ever so much more effective at winning wars than accurate intelligence, honest and educated assessments or troops on the ground.