Some outcomes of the war in Iraq?

1) establishment of a quasi-religious Shiite government that  is in league with Muqtada Al-Sadr,  and a potential longterm ally of Iran.

2) Over 100,000 civilians killed.  Over two million Iraqi civilians displaced.

3) Non-muslim Iraqis forced into exile or living in terror.

3) Bush administration sponsored profiteering by government contractors.

4) Tens of billions of dollars squandered and unaccounted for.

5) Rise of Iran as a major power broker in the region.

6) Distraction from pursuing Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

7) Increased animosity to the United States,  encouraging recruitment by terror groups.

8) Measuring victory by body counts instead of political accomplishment (gee, sounds like a 1960's refrain).

The question should be: have we achieved our political objectives in Iraq through the use of force? Or backing up a bit, what exactly are our political objectives in Iraq, and is the use of force necessary to achieve them?

Let's at least put someone in office in 2008 who is asking the right questions.