How Bad are things in Iraq

I just wonder what is the meaning of Iraq has gone bad. Everybody seems to have an answer to this question. But let’s ask the opposite question: What would the situation have to be in Iraq for people to say that Iraq is a really a successful endeavor?

Just for a moment do the exercise of writing down the answer to this question. Once the answer to what a successful situation in Iraq would look like has been firmly established and written down then, and only, the next important question should be asked and answered:
Is it reasonable to expect that outcome?

If the answer to the second question is negative, I suggest that what people expect out of President Bush is not something that is possible to accomplish! In such case Bush should not only be cut some slack but should be praised for what he has accomplished to date in spite of the overwhelming lack of support.