The president will not be rushed, he said this week, on finding a new plan for Iraq. No speech before Christmas. Lots of huddles in Washington. Lots more dead in Baghdad.

There’s talk of a surge in U.S. troop levels, but the Iraqi prime minister is saying “no, thank you,” and the Army’s top general pounded the table before Congress this week, warning the active-duty force “will break” under current strain.

Senate Democrats glimpsed the fragility of human life and their slim majority this week as South Dakota’s Tim Johnson collapsed in his office.

Rumsfeld is done. Obama’s on the hustings. McCain’s in Baghdad.

This hour On Point: our weekly news roundtable, with top reporters, Jack Beatty, and you.

Guests:

Tony Blankley, editorial page editor for the Washington Times

Carol Giacomo, diplomatic correspondent for Reuters

David Kranz, political columnist for the Argus Leader

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst, senior editor at the Atlantic Monthly;