somehow this doesn't come as a shock.....

U.S. may raise Iraq troop level before any cuts
Military wants extra security ahead of October referendum, December vote

.WASHINGTON - Before the Defense Department begins reducing troop levels in Iraq next year it probably will increase them this fall to provide extra security for a planned October referendum and a December election, a Pentagon official said Monday...."It's perfectly plausible to assume we'll do the same thing for this election," he said, while stressing that no decisions have been made.......

no decisions have been made? who the hell are they trying to kid?