DANIEL DREZNER IS WORRIED about how things are going in Iraq. Given the persistently negative slant of press coverage, and the size and diversity of Iraq, it’s hard to grasp the full picture. But it’s certainly clear that — as I said even before the war — the key will be patience, and the willingness to commit the resources to finish the job. The American people seem to have both. What’s worrisome is Drezner’s suggestion that the Administration doesn’t.

It had better, because if Bush screws this up, he’ll have screwed up his Presidency. The good news is that I’m sure he knows that, and I suspect that everyone else in the White House does, too.

UPDATE: Alan of Petrified Truth has a slightly different concern:

Good point, but my concern is that the Bushies could fall into the same trap as previous administrations, including father Bush — not a lack of patience per se and not naivete, but convincing themselves that the situation can be finessed; trying to be too clever balancing strategy against politics; and then finding themselves, and us, out-maneuvered by events and enemies who are both numerous and implacable.

G.H.W. Bush knew that Saddam was a psychotic despot, but thought he could be managed — when in fact Saddam could only be defeated. We need to press on with the kind of vigor that allowed us to tune out the conventional wisdom and pull the trigger for a change.

Indeed.