Yep, you are right.
The point is, Bush didn't really try nor his team. My close relative says the upper and lower brass in the military just don't get it. Why would you not try to salvage the war, why would you not tell the American public regularily what you are doing and why. It's not Rumsfeld who they are shaking their heads about but Bush and Rove.
He needs to stop walking softly with the press and hit them with a big stick. Repeatedly!