Kristoff is right, in his editorial today: it is wrongheaded to desire a quick pull-out of Iraq.
One hesitation, though, after reading his column: he assumes most folks that criticized our entry into the war want to simply pull out and hand over Iraq to Iraqis now. Certanily there are those saying that (mostly domestic-centered anti-nation-builders and the presidential candidate(s) saluting them). But most folks I know, and the presidents-to-be I support, are not saying this. It would be nice if the media (and the politicians looking for an easy foe) didn't try to divide the public into simplistic camps of anti-war = pull out and pro war = stay the course.

In point of fact, lots of those who were pro-war without the UN are now wanting out; while those that were anti-war unless we get the security counsel's approval are more willing to nation-build. Why? Because those wanting the security counsel's legitimacy wanted, through that, a broad force in Iraq for the war, but more importantly, for the post war. Having UN-authority would bring in more nations and give the whole effort a legitimacy (message being, the whole world is behind this effort). Instead, we've ended up with what we have. It will compound Bush's mistake to pull out. And I think it is a mistake to think those wanting to take the entry into war slowly now want to pull out hastily.