At least somebody can keep a secret in Washington because this came out of nowhere.

President Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday to meet newly named Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and discuss the next steps in the troubled, three-year-old war.

It was a dramatic move by Bush, traveling to violence-rattled Baghdad less than a week after the death of terror chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a bombing attack. The president was expected to be in Baghdad a little more than five hours.

UPDATE: Rep. Hensarling issues a press release:

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) today applauded America's Armed forces for their continued progress in waging the Global War on Terror. Hensarling also commended President Bush's continued leadership as commander-in-chief, as the President arrived in Baghdad to discuss completion of the Iraqi government, continued joint-efforts to defeat the terrorists and our growing partnership with a new ally.

Joint US/Iraqi efforts resulted in the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and the end of his reign of terror as head of Al Qaeda's operations in Iraq. Furthermore, Prime Minister Maliki completed his cabinet appointments by naming new ministers of defense, interior and national security late last week.

"Tomorrow, on Flag Day, I hope that all Americans keep the men and women of our armed forces in their thoughts and prayers," said Hensarling, who met with soldiers in Iraq in August. "President Bush's leadership as commander-in-chief has been resolute, and his trip to Baghdad and meeting with Prime Minister Maliki is another sign that continued progress will allow the Iraqis to assume greater control over their own security."

"Progress in Iraq makes America safer and more secure by fundamentally shifting the political dynamic in the Middle East," said Hensarling. "We must never let terror triumph over freedom, and will continue to work with the Iraqis to defeat our common enemies. I'll take progress, resolve and victory over timetables, defeatism and retreat when overcoming the forces of terror is at stake."

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