Novak often gets it wrong, but I don’t think he makes stuff up (or that anyone has implied that). There are definitely people within the administration who favor the State Dept. and have been against the Iraq War from the start; it’s reasonable to expect that they want to see the US pullout ASAP. They may see the situation as intractable, but in so doing believe that the president will come to see it the same way when presented with the “facts.” It’s not going to happen.

The only way Bush pulls out is if Allawi’s govt. requests it, which isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Kondracke reported that Allawi is terrified of a Kerry victory because it might mean the withdrawal of US troops. (Is Kondracke more reliable than Novak? Probably.)

No way is Wolfowitz part of the immediate withdrawal crowd. I believe that to be wishful thinking on someone’s part.