jimikeen: Endgame in Iraq?

The majority of the American people what a time line for the departure of US troops in Iraq as does the majority of the Iraqi Parliament. I would say that the administration is out of touch but at least the Vice President has conceded yesterday that there was no end to the fighting in sight. This reality check coming about from the guy who had claimed that the insurgency was in its "last throes" must be at least listening to what his Generals who are in country are telling him.

Does this flack vest make me look fat?

Gates, Petraeus and this administration understand that this is their last stand on Iraq, the funding for the war isn't a lock and support for the war decreases every day. The extension of tours in Iraq and the increased troops deployments on an already over extended military are being felt. The military has offered lots of cash incentives, especially for Captains, the ones with multiple tours and valuable combat experience, to keep military personnel. It isn't about the money though and that is just a quick fix.

The cost is to high to stay in Iraq. Everyone wants to know when and how this will all be resolved. The military can't sustain two wars in the Middle East AND grow to the proposed levels it wants to in a peace time force.

President Bush feels "It makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing," There are another 35,000 troops who will be out in Iraq this Christmas and chances are very good that I will be one of them. I am not bitching that I have to go back to Iraq 'cause this isn't about me. I just don't agree that telling the country who we are "saving" what are plans are is empowering the enemy. We need to let the majority of the people in this country, the ones paying for this war, how this is all going to end.

The Moderate Republicans are freaking out because the see the writing on the wall, especially Representative Tom Davis. There is a section in his northern Virginia district where the president's approval rating is 5%. This is Virginia too, conservative, patriotic and pro Bush Virginia showing a single digit approval rating.