Read the reports from those who ask for CAS or want an FAC on station. Bombing from 10,000' isn't what they are asking for. They seem to like having the A-10 around.
The only thing A-10 seems to lack is speed. One thing it does have is a proven track record of doing the job and getting its pilot back home.
The problem with A-10 that most are overlooking here is it would take a pounding in a dense IADS environment, despite its survivability. Thats not dissing the A-10, its just acknowleding that it has a limitation on employment.
Those that are poo-pooing the stand-off CAS support are failing to recognize that against a sophisticated enemy with dense IADS (AA and missiles), low is not where you want to be. Afghanistan and present day Iraq are not dense IADS environments, so A-10 shows its stuff there.
If we were only building to fight against third world countries, we would not need new aircraft. We are building to fight against major adversaries.