Win in Iraq

The Jim Baker-Lee Hamilton Iraq Study Group is calling for a troop pullback. President Bush says that a troop drawdown is unrealistic. So you have 2 different strategic views.

For my money, Bush is exactly right. We need more military forces to stop the rogue militias and to stabilize Baghdad.

National Review editor Rich Lowry is correct to say there are really only two choices. One is additional troops to bolster Iraqi security. Failing that, we may as well just pack up and leave.

The second option amounts to defeat. We must not accept defeat.

The President is telling us we can’t leave-it’d be premature. I totally agree.

I would like to see a change in generals and a much greater number of U.S. advisors embedded in the Iraqi forces and police.

This is why I’m leery of the Baker commission. If the U.S. leaves, before securing Iraq, the game will be won by Ahmadinejad and Iran.

That is not a desirable outcome.