The term "Quagmire" surfaced before the war. While it's hollow to look at just the numbers, had Saddam's troops fought a conventional war instead of taking off their uniforms and disovling into the population our casualties could have been much higher than they are now. We did anticipate urban warfare but it didn't materialize either.

It seems we're fighting a protracted war, a war of installments were the down payment was low and the interest is high. You can call it a "quagmire" if you want but I don't think it will pass the 'quagmire test' unless the Iraqi elections go badly and the insurgancy shows no signs of weakening.

Does being in it for the long haul mean "quagmire" or does it mean we have to take responsibility for what we've done?