I've got 2 cents:
Bush and the other politicians who are "on the defense industry's payroll" want the U.S. military to remain involved in Iraq for a long time.
Forever being the best timeframe for quarterly profits. See
Why We Fight for some backdrop on this opinion.
We are kicking ass in Iraq. Any force that attempts to defeat us loses. Everywhere the enemy goes they are hunted and destroyed. We f'ng "destroyed and rebuilt the place twice now", Kicking ass is a understatment.