Nancy Youssef at the McClatchy Washington Bureau has really good National Security sources and she points to the possibility that Joe Biden and NSC head James Jones may bring a voice of reason to the Afghanistan debate.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to talk to the media, said Biden has argued that without sustained support from the American people, the U.S. can't make the long-term commitment that would be needed to stabilize Afghanistan and dismantle al-Qaida. Biden's office declined to comment.

"I think they (the Obama administration) thought this would be more popular and easier," a senior Pentagon official said. "We are not getting a Bush-like commitment to this war."

Other than making sure Al Qaeda doesn't reestablish training bases in Afghanistan, we have no overwhelming national security interest to support another ten year occupation of the country. Pulling troops out and instituting a counter-terrorism strategy would be totally consistent with President Obama's pledge: "And our new strategy has a clear mission and defined goals--to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies."

Now is the time to change policy and get out.