Not sure if the word "plot" should be quoted, since Mitchell does not use that word. Essentially she is saying that the Republican caucus told Petraeus that he has until August to show real progress or else they were going to go with the Democrats and pull funding for the surge.

Interesting that Joe Klein, another veteran Washington insider, didn't appear to agree with Mitchell that the message was given.

I wouldn't be surprised if such a message was communicated, however, given the radical unpopularity of both the President and the war.