TB, you're starting to look like the little Dutch boy rushing around trying to plug all the leaks in the dike.

"It would allow for a phased withdrawal of most troops, depending on political progress and on the performance of the Iraqi Army. This, in turn, would ease the pressure on the American military and answer the rightful disenchantment in American public opinion.There will be no such thing as victory in Iraq, but the next President, if he remains nimble, may be able to keep the damage under control."

That sounds reasonable to me. Political progress and the Iraqi Army's performance is what has always been missing from the White House victory dances. Still, perhaps the Republicans can still salvage some credit from turning a humiliating rout into a disciplined withdrawal.