Since our troops had just toppled the government, there was no one to transfer sovereignty to. A new government had to be created, which is what has been happening for the past year and a half. By the end of this year, a constitution will be written, the new government will be solidified, the Iraqi security forces will be much stronger and numerous, several thousand more terrorists will be dead and the rest will be too demoralized to fight anymore. Then, we can start to leave.
Would it have been great if there had been no insurgency, and power could have been transferred within the first year? Yes. But, we had to play the hand we were dealt.
Which Iraqis? There had to be a legitimate process. I thank you for clarifying his point. It concerned me that it's a severe criticism the Left would love, and at the same time, very nebulous and "iffy".