Friedman Says What Now?

I can understand the rationale of saying that setting a deadline for withdrawal from Iraq is dangerous as the factions will just run out the clock until we leave.

I don't agree, I believe the time to get out is now - pulling out of the cities, but I can understand the argument. However, Friedman's argument in this article is incomprehensible (behind a wall if you don't have Times Select). His article says that Pelosi's pressure to set a withdrawal date can give General Petraeus leverage to get the Iraqis to work together.

Did you get that? A threat of a deadline for withdrawal, without a deadline gives him leverage. Wouldn't that mean that a deadline would give him more leverage?

Friedman, why can't you say something? anything?