Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Out of every political writer / poster / blogger in the world and possibly the universe, I am probably the worst at research. My former papers for school usually were written without the aid of sources and then I'd just plug in the minimum required number to secure my "A". Please keep that in mind. I write this not to incite anger, nor to start an argument or to call anyone's political beliefs to question, but as a very serious issue that I'd like answered or at least commented on by the people on this and other sites, especially those who have more expertise in this sort of thing than I do (which is basically all of you).

Here's what I'm asking.

There seems to be three political camps right now as far as troop withdrawal is concerned: (1) bring them home now, (2) bring them home gradually, (3) bring them home eventually but we don't want to say when. It seems to me that the most passionate of bloggers fall within the first category, arguing for immediate withdrawal. I know John Murtha also believes we should immediately withdraw.

I believe Hillary Clinton favors a more gradual withdrawal based upon the success of the Iraqi elections.

We all know who likes the final option.

So, here is the question: Where do all of you stand on this issue?

I see merits to all of the plans as well as flaws to the plans. Personally, I'm in agreement with Hillary (to my everlasting dismay). I see nothing but problems for the Iraqis if we just up and leave (Vietnam, anyone?), and I see even more problems if we just stay for an indeterminable amount of time (...Vietnam, anyone?)

More training to the Iraqi troops, more supplies and rebuilding efforts to Iraq itself, and a tentative timeline for withdrawal would, in my non-politically-intelligent opinion, go a longer way to regaining worldwide respect and trust, stabilizing Iraq after we ****ed it up, and most importantly, reassuring the public and bolstering troop morale.

But like I said, I've done no research; I have no facts or hard numbers; I've just got what I've heard and what I think.

So, what does everyone else think?