Is 21,500 a toe in the water?

Leaving aside the argument that there aren't more troops available for Iraq, this worries me.

With a growing edge in his voice, McCain explained that he had sat down with General Petraeus. "He looked me in the eye," said McCain, "and told me 'I can do it with 21,000. And if I can't, I'll ask for more.'"

Funny, this part of Petraeus' position isn't being made public, eh?