Bush should do that. But if Bush can't get Iraq to stand up before 2008 and reploy these troops elsewhere, then kiss goodbye to all who support him in Congress. The troops know that it did not take 4 years to train them to fight.
exactly right. I keep trying to post that side of the argument.
look, all of us here want to win. we all want things to work out well. But we have closed off alot of options for ourselves - we gave iraq this democracy, so we can't use acute US military force and kick butt all over the country, without Malaki's approval. And Sadr owns Maliki, even Rush admitted that on his show today. so that limits this option. next, we know syria and iran are acting to de-stabilize iraq. anyone here seriously think we are going to attack syria or iran?
so basically, we are down to the same plan we've always had for this phase 2 of the war - the iraqis must stand up. OK, it a good plan. What if it doesn't happen? What happens if iraq is unable to pull themselves together, suppose the internal strife, the religious differences, and problems too big for them to overcome. What happens then?