Thank God the Republicans are out and we don't have to deal with this kind of economic catastrophe.  Core inflation drops by most in 13 years. 

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NOW they tell us.  Get Out of Iraq Now? Not So Fast, Experts Say  Am I to assume that the Times couldn't have mentioned the fact that the Democrats primary plan for Iraq is not supported by anyone either currently or formerly employed in the top ranks of the military establishment!

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 — One of the most resonant arguments in the debate over Iraq holds that the United States can move forward by pulling its troops back, as part of a phased withdrawal. If American troops begin to leave and the remaining forces assume a more limited role, the argument holds, it will galvanize the Iraqi government to assume more responsibility for securing and rebuilding Iraq.

This is the case now (?!?!?) being argued by many Democrats, most notably Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who asserts that the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq should begin within four to six months....

Anthony Zinni, the former head of the United States Central Command and one of the retired generals who called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, argued that any substantial reduction of American forces over the next several months would be more likely to accelerate the slide to civil war than stop it.

Phased withdrawal has been on the list of Democrat talking points at least as early as Jack Murtha's speech in November 2005 when he declared, "It's time to bring the troops home."  And who the hell is Carl Levin to anyone outside of Michigan.  Why do they make it sound like some new initiative?

I also wonder if all those liberals who praised Zinni and his colleagues will now back their calls for more troops.  I also heard an interview last night on NPR with Micahel Gordon one of the authors of Cobra II last night, the authoritative book that detailed and criticized the invasion and occupation of Iraq.  He said that he couldn't understand why anyone would think that reducing the troop level would make the situation on the ground better.