The evidence is clear: the United States is winning in Iraq. Despite the willingness of the mainstream media to ignore democratic progress in Iraq, General Petraeus’ counterinsurgency plan has borne fruit and the democratically-elected Iraqi government is working to bring reconciliation to the people of Iraq. Now, as pro-victory citizens, it is our task to help bring about political progress in Washington for the military progress our troops have secured abroad.

This spring, Students for Victory is running ‘Eight Weeks to Assessment’, our campaign as part of the overall pro-victory coalition’s efforts to prepare for General Petraeus’ testimony before Congress in mid-April. Defeatist members of Congress and their leftist allies used the Gen. Petraeus’ last assessment in September as a launching pad for attacks on our mission there, our soldiers, and even the General himself, and we expect the same to occur in April.

To prepare for the upcoming struggle, we will be rapidly assembling a 'ground game' in multiple steps. Until General Petraeus testifies, we will send you an action item every week. Individually each item is fairly simple, but as a whole, your efforts will help Students for Victory make a difference in the struggle for Iraq and help defeat the defeatists.

Week 1: Invite Five Friends

Week 2: Nominate State Coordinator

Week 3: Join Our Mailing List

Week 4: Call Jack Murtha

Week 5: Support Alternative Media

The Eight Weeks to Assessment campaign continues to push forward and we appreciate all of the efforts you have made to help build up the pro-victory student movement. Thank you very much for contributing to our friends in the media who put themselves at risk to bring news from the ground in Iraq.

Vets for Freedom is a great partner organization of Students for Victory, and that group will be kicking off a national bus tour of Iraq combat veterans in mid-March called the Heroes Tour. The Heroes Tour will bring decorated war heroes to cities and towns across the country to spread their non-partisan message of progress and freedom, and we at Students for Victory plan to do our part to make this a success. There are no better advocates for the pro-victory cause than those who have sacrificed for the mission, and by participating in this project, we can all help build support for our troops and their mission in Iraq.

This week, we are asking you to visit the Heroes Tour website at http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/heroestour, and find a tour stop near you. If you can volunteer at any of the tour stops, please email us with the tour stop you are interested in working at and your contact information at info@studentsforvictory.com.

Locations and times for events at each tour stop will be released over the next two weeks, and we encourage you to attend.The Heroes Tour will be a great opportunity to spread news of progress overseas and give veterans the chance to inform the country about why they made sacrifices in Iraq.

It is very important that members of Congress hear from pro-victory students and veterans. In support of that objective, Students for Victory and Vets for Freedom will provide free lodging and travel to Washington for the April testimony for any member who can recruit five veterans to sign up for Vets for Freedom’s Vets on the Hill event. Simply ask those veterans to sign up at http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/heroestour/voth_signup.aspx, and send the names of the five veterans you recruited to info@studentsforvictory.com. Once all five are signed up, you will be able to sign up as well!