Timetable

Why are the democratic politicians putting all their eggs a timetable? It doesn't make sense to me. Even if we agreed and passed a timetable, if the situation on the ground changed, it would make the timetable irrelevant.

For instance, say we put a timetable of withdrawal as Decemeber 2007. In November, the violence spikes as a political settlement is forthcoming, delaying the possibility of a settlement until March. Wouldn't we just postpone the withdrawal?

To me, I don't see the substance of having a timetable, it seems mostly like a political move....which is sort of my problem with the democratic party in general. What does these folks stand for? I really, truly, cannot tell.