LH - The way you're describing the scenario, it sound like this: First they had to sacrafice Rumsfeld, and then they started off on a new program, which was really a continuation of the old program, only they just reported the facts differently. All of this helps John McCain hugely, which might be why he and GW got involved in a kissing fest during the last election.
                      Now they've got the "surge" going on, and the reports printed in the press tell the American public that everything is fine. And,everything that went on before was all Rumsfeld's fault, and he's gone now so there's nothing to worry about.