But critics of the Bush administration handing of the war question whether the ambitious goals for withdrawing troops are realistic given the difficulties in maintaining order there. The insurgency has proven resilient despite several big military operations over the years, and previous forecasts of significant troop withdrawals have yet to materialize.

Now, after criticizing Democratic lawmakers for trying to legislate a timeline for withdrawing troops, skeptics say, the Bush administration seems to have its own private schedule, albeit one that can be adjusted as events unfold.

Just the prior week, "critics" of the Administration couldn't get out of Iraq fast enough. Whence this newfound concern for Iraqi stability? I mean, other than under Saddam.

The Administration can't win for losing.  Choose to leave, and they're abandoning the Iraqis.  Choose to stay, and they're coddling them.

No wonder nobody takes them seriously.