They just keep those goal posts moving... And, of course, when that is no longer possible on the situation IN Iraq, there is always a return to “incompetence” - why it took so long, not enough troops, too many casualties because we neglected diplomatic solutions and went in “unilaterally” etc. etc.
Hillary will be pushing “incompetence” angle, as that allows her to triangulate and sound “competent” and like a CIC, while the left wing will always keep the “Iraq = Vietnam” “illegal war” mantra...
Oddly, though, I've gotten SLIGHTLY more optimistic about the American people getting it. I saw on the WSJ that a poll shows that those who think things are going well in Iraq has really shot up.