There is too much sloppy thinking when the surge is discussed. It is being used as a code word for every positive development, whether related or not,. (The Anwar Awakening, for example, was just a lucky conincidence.)

Despite the hype, the role of the surge in the furture of Iraq (and the US) is yet to be determined.
The mission was NOT to reduce violence for it's own sake. It was to reduce violence for a specific goal, to give the Iraqi government time to work towards political solutions. That is happening VERY SLOWLY, while some Iraqi leaders even say that political reconciliation should be put aside for the present, because it's just too difficult.

While everyone welcomes the reduction in violence, and rightly so, the reasons for anxiety as to what that means for the future still remain, While we are babysitting in Iraq, Afghanistan is spiraling downward, for example. We could end up sacrificing Afghanistan and Pakistan for the sake of Iraq.
Just like the war in Iraq has been a distraction from developing broader and deeper foreign policy goals in the region, so also has been the surge, unintentionally. While we have been celebrating its successes, Afghanistan fell out of news coverage and out of attention.
Events in the ME do not happen in isolated pockets. What happens in Iraq will impact the rest of the region, but also VICE VERSA. So, it's much too early to declare mission accomplished.

On the positive side, aside from the reduction in violence, the surge demonstrated the efficacy of counter insurgency tactics, and that's invaluable.
In the interim, Maliki also seems to have developed a spinal cord and is beginning to act like a real head of government (Basra).

So, excuse me, if I'm not overexuberant, even as I applaud the positive elements of the surge. Gettting out of Iraq will be a very delicate and complicated dance, and it will need to be coordinated with our role in Afghanistan and relatonship with Pakistan. There is just too much angst across a broad range of problems to make it all hinge on that one concept: the surge.

He made a judgment that the surge would not work……..HE WAS WRONG.

In an interview with reporters on the back of his campaign bus, the “Straight Talk Express” Monday afternoon, McCain said that even in retrospect he would still have voted to authorize the war, as he did in 2002.

“I think there's no question,” said the Republican's likely presidential nominee.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-0701…

Look, a large reason why I supported Obama in the primary is due to that amendment, not to mention the incredible difficulty of drawing boundaries that Bill wouldn't cross. Hilary wasn't my first choice but I could live with her, if she could stand up to Bill. She never showed that she could.

He gives fancy speechs that are akin to Billy Graham and Martin Luther but when it comes time for substances he is a complete bumbling bonehead. Hes now trying to figure out a way to backtrack on Iraq and make himself not look like a nitwit instead of so full of judgment.

Example Energy speech. This is not the future I want for America. We are not a country that places our fate in the hands of dictators and tyrants. I bet Canada appreciates being called a Tyrant. Seeing as how we get the largest percentage of our oil from Canada that must be who hes talking about.

So now all our friends in the middle east are Tyrants and Dictators. Good to know. I can see how thats gonna play out at the negotiating table when he wants to give to puff out his chest and pretend he is tough while winking at them with his back to the cameras. He is such a bumbling Freshman politician and one that I fail to see how people can even give him the time of day.

As it is quickly doing as I sit typing this..

She isn't a saint, she isn't perfect. She has made mistakes. All can be said of each of the three main candidates.

What sets her apart is experience and delivery. And most importantly, delivery and experience for 8 years putting our country at the strongest economy it's ever enjoyed. That's some imperfection I can live with. Having a strong dollar again? Yeah, I think we all can handle that.

Iraq will come around as soon as we make huge leaps away from foreign oil. Iraq will become a moot point. The whole reason that affair exists in the first place is due to BigOil greed and intent on 100-year monopoly of reserves there. If we say “bye bye” to BigOil's intent, the situation will resolve more rapidly than anyone could imagine. I feel pretty certain that Hillary, along with many other representatives, don't feel nice about being lied to so that the whole Iraq takeover could even commence. Once impeachment hearings continue in Congress, she'll have the backing she needs to wield change there to right wrongs based on purposeful deception.

Obama could do this too, except that his career will soon be ruined beyond repair by the GOP. I'm one of those weird people who knows that in order to enact lasting and real change in the Oval Office, you first have to get there…

Neocon, judging from your pseudonym, I have little doubt that you agree fully with McCain's 2004 op-ed. You and I stand fully opposed on this one. IMO, Barack Obama had it exactly right before the war. My beef with him today is his reluctance to give the credit due on the surge. My issue with McCain is much, much bigger.

Or

Is Barak Obama who made a judgment that the war is wrong. The surge is wrong and that Saddam Hussein should still be in charge murdering and torturing his citizens just like the old days.

I guess it just depends on whose version of things you believe is the best.