... or hell freezes over, whichever comes first

McCain, Cheney: US in Iraq long-term
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
17 March 2008
BAGHDAD - Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John McCain vowed in meetings with Iraq's prime minister Monday that the U.S. would maintain a long-term military presence in Iraq until al-Qaida is defeated there.
[emphasis added]

Gentle reminder:

AQI (al-Qaida in Iraq) and other extremist groups remain resilient; though they have sustained significant losses, these groups continue to pose a substantial threat and continue to carry out barbaric attacks," it said.

While al-Qaida's strength has been "significantly reduced" in Al-Anbar province, Baghdad and its suburbs, and Diyala, "AQI elements remain highly lethal in parts of the Tigris River Valley and in Nineva province," it said.
...
"Despite these gains, AQI remains a serious threat in parts of the country, particularly in the north, and violent conflicts among communal groups for political power and resources persist," the report said.

"AQI continues its efforts to exacerbate those communal tensions with high- profile attacks and a campaign of murder and intimidation against tribal, political and security force leaders," it said.
[Conditions in Iraq fragile despite drop in violence: Pentagon, 11 March 2008]

There is no news or analysis suggesting that AQI is going to die anytime soon. The Pentagon notes AQI's resiliency and identifies AQI activity as a continuing threat.

What better time for Cheney & McCain to promise we'll stay in Iraq till AQI is dead?

Maybe now would be a good time to invest in body-armor... for your grandkids! - that way they'll have something to wear on their Iraq tour!

Stop the madness!