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This whole thing has been blundered, and the timing of Rumsfeld was off (should have been done at least 6 months ago, if not 2 years ago when he first tendered his resignation but Bush wouldn't accept it), but Bush should be given some credit for changing course.
The architects of the war are all but gone now. Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfowitz, etc. etc. etc. All gone, every one of them (well, Cheney is still there, and won't be going anywhere, but he is neutered).
The group that has now finally replaced them in their entirety, and now has Bush's ear (Rice, Scrowcroft, Gates, etc.) are far more reasonable and realistic. The people who have Bush's ear behind the scenes are extremely important, since he is essentially an empty suit.
This is a wreck, but you can't change the past, and I'm willing to give him some credit for finally changing course in a significant way. It is way late for him to be doing it. The best time would have been when he was at the critical juncture of choosing between Powell and Rumsfeld, and he chose Rumsfeld, and Powell therefore left.
But at least it's finally a move in the right direction. It took a major electoral kick to the nuts to get him to do it, but at least he did.
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