Get ready for some political fireworks leading up to Sept. 15. It’s on that day that Gen. Petreaus is set to report on the results of the surge in Iraq, and I’ll bet my left ear his message is going to disappoint Democratic leaders in Congress.

In fact, the leading Democratic candidates for president have acknowledged the surge is working — of course, they follow their statements up with “but “¦ we should have done this four years ago.” Then they attack the lack of political progress in Baghdad, as if we Americans progress politically any better than the Iraqi Parliament.

Here’s Hillary on Monday:

“We’ve begun to change tactics in Iraq, and in some areas, particularly in Anbar province, it’s working.”

And Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), who just returned from Iraq:

“We should sit down with Republicans, see what would be acceptable to them to end the war and present it to the president, start negotiating from the beginning. I don’t know what the [Democratic] leadership is thinking. Sometimes they’ve done things that are beyond me.”

Funny, usually when a Republican comes back and reports good news he’s laughed at.

And check out this from the Kansas City Star’s “The Buzz:”

Not every congressional Democrat has come back from Iraq supporting a quick drawdown.

Rep. Brian Baird of Washington saw enough progress on the ground that he will no longer vote for binding withdrawal timelines. Baird, a House whip, also contended that Congress’ debate over the war has destabilized Iraq by sending wary Iraqi politicians back to their sectarian bases, “and if we withdraw, it could have a potentially catastrophic effect on the region.”

Rep. Jerry McNerney of California suggested that his trip to Iraq made him more flexible in his search for a bipartisan accord on the war, and Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida said the troop increase “has really made a difference and really has gotten al-Qaida on their heels.”

This is good news, but puts Democrats in an awkward place. They still want to pull out before the job is done. With progress on the ground, how will they do it? How are Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi going to get GOP congressmen to break with the White House?

The war will be won through PR, unfortunately. Or fortunately, if you consider the demonstrated ability of Republicans to shape the debate (well, except for 2006).

In walks former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and Freedoms Watch, a new PAC that launched a $22 million ad blitz leading up to the Sept. 15 report. The ads are poignant — more so than anything I imagine the Democrats will come up with. What’s more, they echo the actual feelings of those fighting this war — our soldiers and Marines.

Below are the first four. While I think the ads will be effective, I think the Democrats might be right. GOP operatives should have launched the PR surge long ago.

Iraq war veteran John Kriesel lost both legs in a blast near Fallujah on December 2nd, 2006. It was near the end of his second tour. Listen to why John believes Victory is America’s only choice.

Laura Youngblood lost 2 family members to al Qaeda terrorists, first her uncle Henry a New York City fireman who lost his life on 9/11, and than her husband Travis died fighting for our freedom in Iraq. Listen to why Laura believes Victory is America’s only choice.

Iraq war veteran Andrew Robinson was on his second tour of duty when he was wounded by an IED in June of 2006. Andrew lost the use of his legs. Listen to why Andrew believes Victory is America’s only choice.

Vicki Strong lost her son Marine Sgt. Jesse Strong, in Iraq fighting for our freedom. Listen to why Vicki believes Victory is America’s only choice.