Speaking of messages...

It's becoming increasingly clear that, for George Bush, managing the message has taken precedence over managing actual situations. No wonder he was so upset about Kerry's "mexed messages" when his administration is working so hard on manipulating the message the American people see.

1) We're supposed to believe Ayad Allawi, because he's what? An independent voice, reporting on conditions in his country? So when he repeats phrases from the Bush campaign, it's supposed to be confirmation of the truth of those phrases, not merely another Bush appointee using scripts written by Republican operatives, right? I assume none of us have been taken in by this, but just to make sure:

But administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the prime minister was coached and aided by the U.S. government, its allies and friends of the administration. Among them was Dan Senor, former spokesman for the CPA who has more recently represented the Bush campaign in media appearances. Senor, who has denied writing the speech, sent Allawi recommended phrases. He also helped Allawi rehearse in New York last week, officials said. Senor declined to comment.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and British Foreign Service officials also helped Allawi with the text and delivery of his remarks, said administration officials who were involved. The State Department and officials elsewhere in the government took the lead in booking Allawi's interviews. Administration officials said that the Iraqi Embassy in Washington consists of just a few officials and has only a dial-up Internet connection, so was incapable of preparing for the high-profile tour.

2) Meanwhile, USAID is restricting Congressional access to reports it is paying for, which are, unfortunately, full of the message that things in Iraq are getting worse:

USAID said this week that it will restrict distribution of reports by contractor Kroll Security International showing that the number of daily attacks by insurgents in Iraq has increased. On Monday, a day after The Washington Post published a front-page story saying that "the Kroll reports suggest a broad and intensifying campaign of insurgent violence," a USAID official sent an e-mail to congressional aides stating: "This is the last Kroll report to come in. After the WPost story, they shut it down in order to regroup. I'll let you know when it restarts."

Asked about the Kroll reports yesterday, USAID spokesman Jeffrey Grieco said, "The agency has restricted its circulation to those contractors and grantees who continue to work in Iraq." He said that the reports were given to congressional officials who sought them, but that the information will now be "restricted to those who need it for security planning in Iraq." An agency official said the decision was unrelated to the Post story and was based on a fear that the reports "would fall into insurgents' hands."

Apparently, the belief is that the insurgents won't know how often they are attacking unless they get access to this report from congressional staffers.

3) Meanwhile, the Pentagon is paying to send a group of former CPA officials to military bases, according to a memo sent to commanders.

The memo says the presentations are "designed to be uplifting accounts with good news messages." Rumsfeld's office, which will pay for the tour, recommends that the installations seek local news coverage, noting that "these events and presentations are positive public relations opportunities."

The memo anticipates controversy. "It is well understood that the efforts and sacrifices associated with Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom have resulted in a significant human toll," it says. "As such, emotions and apprehensions may run high in response to the conduct of these visits." The memo offered reassurance that those on the tour "are not political policy makers" and said commanders at each base "are in the best position on how to market this voluntary attendance program effectively."

If we all just believe really hard that the problem has gone away, then the problem will go away. Clap for Tinkerbell! Clap harder!