I said is being won. It can definitely go south and I was still worried about that until the Iraqi election based on some of the concerns you mention. I think that made it clear the Iraqi's as a whole want a responsible democratic government that doesn't support sectarian violence. Not that I ever expect you to admit that the goal of a Democratic Iraq was acheived. I'm sure you will find some detail to claim it failed after we pull out. Right now I'm pretty comfortable a gradual pullout will leave a stable Iraq. If it doesn't I feel it was a nice try (well at the end anyway), but we can no longer afford an unending commitment. I'm sure it ruined your day to read about the large number of Iraqi's that were worried Obama's pull out would be too soon.

Regards,
Mark