With Karzai Favored to Win, U.S. Walks a Fine Line - washingtonpost

"Because they couldn't construct a plan to replace Karzai, I think they toned down the criticism and kept the option open of working with Karzai, should he get reelected," said Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan. "I think some administration officials realized that by being so openly critical of Karzai, they faced the risk that they could get a Karzai who was not only reelected but was hostile to the U.S. because of how he had been treated."
U.S. Walks Fine Line in Afghanistan

Cheney Uncloaks His Frustration With Bush- washingtonpost

Statement by Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in Reaction to Karzai’s Offer for “Food, Tea and a Job”