( UPDATED )
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today, regarding the debate of withdrawal from Iraq something quite interesting:

“I’ve been pretty clear that I think the enactment of specific deadlines would be a bad mistake,” Gates said.

“But I think the debate itself, and I think the strong feelings expressed in the Congress about the timetable … probably has had a positive impact _ at least I hope it has in terms of communicating to the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended commitment,” he said.

So let me get this straight, Mr. Gates. You think the debate itself is good because it shows the Iraqis that we are short on patience and we will pull out if they don’t do what we want them to do. Yet, backing up that talk with credible action is NOT good? I mean, what good is the talk if it is all a bluff? Our enemies will see right through it.

If, as you say, Mr. Gates, that the debate over withdrawal is actually having positive effects, just imagine what kind of effects it would have if you were serious about the withdrawal, Mr. Gates. Just imagine how the Iraqis ask “How high?” when you command them to jump with an actual threat of withdrawal.

In the end, Iraq cannot be anything but what Iraqis make of their country. In the end, we will be withdrawing. In the end, Iraqis are going to have to face up and answer the question: “What is an Iraqi in a post-Saddam world?” Americans cannot answer that question. Only Iraqis can. It is time we hold their feet to the real fire. No more half-talking, Mr. Gates. We’re out of there.

(Update)
The Carpetbagger Report has a great take on this particular line of thought:

For the last several months, the White House and its allies have had a consistent message: debating the merit of the war in Iraq is an inherently bad idea. In February, when lawmakers were considering (and passing) a non-binding resolution criticizing the escalation strategy, Tony Snow went so far as to suggest that the debate itself brought “comfort” to terrorists.

A month later, when the House and Senate took up spending measures that included timelines for withdrawal, conservative war supporters said the very discussion sent a dangerous signal to the world, undermined the troops, and “emboldened the enemy.”
………
For literally months, the White House and its congressional sycophants have been arguing the exact opposite — that dissent is dangerous, that our enemies are listening, and that our troops are undermined when there are political divisions over war policy. But in reality, Dems are doing what the president refuses to do: pressuring Iraqis to step up.
………
It’s awfully convenient, isn’t it? Dems do all the heavy policy lifting, Republicans question their judgment and patriotism, and when push comes to shove, it’s the Dems who are giving the administration leverage to push for progress in Iraq.

Apologies can be sent to: Congressional Democratic Caucus, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20515.