Both agree that precipitous withdrawal would be catastrophic.

Isn't precipitous withdrawal almost tautologically catastrophic?

It's also what the first tier Democratic presidential aspirants are proposing despite polls, Congressional posturing, and rhetoric to the contrary.

Obama seems to be proposing something more rash, although it may be merely rhetorical positioning. My guess is that, in any case, a President Obama would be constrained by realities more than Candidate Obama.

I agree that, at least at this point, leaving enough troops not to be sitting ducks and be able to stave off the worst of the possible scenarios is the least bad option. It's also what the first tier Democratic presidential aspirants are proposing despite polls, Congressional posturing, and rhetoric to the contrary.