Reply #18: Can't [View All]

Because that would plunge Iraq into an even more hellish version of the civil war that's already happening; the blame attached to the Bush administration would be undeniable; and the perception would be that we lost. While the corrupt Bush administration doesn't give a shit about the first consequence, the next two are to be avoided at all costs. As long as there's a colorable (if insane) argument to be made that Bush didn't fail miserably, they'd leave Iraq in a New York minute. But right now, too many people are paying attention, and the blame for failure would be clear. Better to stumble and stagger along until January 21, 2009, then leave the mess for the next fellow. When it finally falls completely apart, then blame the successor.

Republican Playbook at 23.