He's in a tough spot, and I think he's as good a columnist as there is out there. I'm more convinced than he is that Iraq is beyond salvage - or rather beyond the West's salvage. Others are not so happy with his McCain column. In order of magnitude: Wrong. Still Wrong. And a money quote:
Does Brooks really believe that a candidate currently evaluating the war in Iraq without sufficiently considering the needs or desires of the Iraqi people is either mature or substantive on the Middle East? Moreover, can Brooks really believe that an individual capable of such serious myopia wouldn't absolutely wreck the region? An inattention to Iraqi opinions and decisions, at this point in the war, should be disqualifying for participants in the debate.