The Nebraska Republican blamed the Bush administration, saying a more positive assessment by Vice President Dick Cheney earlier in the month showed that "the White House is completely disconnected from reality. It's like they're just making it up as they go along."

Hagel added: "If things don't start to turn around in six months, then it may be too late," predicting that Congress would urge President Bush to cut and run at that point.

The top Republican's comments have been quoted in two reports on Al Jazeera.com since Monday.

Hagel's remarks, however, should come as news to al Qaeda's Iraq operations chief Abu Musab al Zarqawi, who has complained repeatedly in recent months that the U.S. has his forces on the ropes.

Editor's note:
Ronald Reagan’s Motto: "It CAN Be Done" – get his Oval Office desk plate – Click Here Now
Get David Limbaugh’s best seller "Persecution" about the war on Christians – Click Here for FREE offer
Get Tammy Bruce’s latest best-selling book FREE – Click Here!

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Bush Administration
War on Terrorism