Oh Won't You Stay Just a Little Bit Longer?

The Iraqis are getting closer to asking us to stay:

Iraq's prime minister offered his clearest opening yet Wednesday for the possibility of extending the U.S. troop deployment past the Dec. 31 departure date, saying he would do so if most of the country's political blocs support the decision.

I still want three combat advise and assist brigades and special forces, plus supporting troops and trainers (which I figure would total 25,000, but maybe it could be accomplished with fewer).

At least the tentative dancing around the subject is starting to move closer to actual asking, answering, and negotiating.

UPDATE: A nice summary of the improvements in the Iraqi army through their "Americanization." All the more reason we need to stay to keep them on track. Plus there is the external defense mission and--most important--our role in keeping Iraqi politics in the non-shooting mode by providing a physical guarantee that going old school by any faction to settle political differences will face American troops.