Bush Drops 'Stay The Course' Phrase

But White House Rejects Calls For Dramatic Policy Shift In Iraq

(CBS/AP)  With just two weeks until Election Day, the White House sought to ease political anxieties over security in Iraq — most notably by no longer saying the United States will "stay the course" in Iraq — but rejected calls from lawmakers for a dramatic policy shift.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said Monday the phrase "stay the course" doesn't capture the "dynamism" of the tactics America and its allies are employing.

"He stopped using it," Snow said of that phrase.

Snow said the United States would adjust its Iraq strategy but would not issue any ultimatums to the Iraqis.

"Are there dramatic shifts in policy? The answer is no," Snow said.

Meanwhile, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Tuesday that Iraqi forces should be able to take full control of security in the country within the next 12 to 18 months with minimal American support.

Gen. George Casey said the United States should continue to focus on drawing down the number of American forces in the country, adding that he would not hesitate to ask for more troops if he felt they were necessary.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who opened the rare joint press conference with Casey, said that the Iraqi government had agreed to develop a timeline for progress by the end of the year. He declared that the United States needed to redouble its efforts to succeed in Iraq.

The Nov. 7 elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress, and lawmakers in both parties are calling on President Bush to change his war plans.

"We're on the verge of chaos, and the current plan is not working," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in an Associated Press interview. U.S. and Iraqi officials should be held accountable for the lack of progress, said Graham, a Republican who is a frequent critic of the administration's policies.

Asked who in particular should be held accountable — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, perhaps, or the generals leading the war, Graham said: "All of them. It's their job to come up with a game plan" to end the violence.

Mr. Bush, in a CNBC interview, said, "Well, I've been talking about a change in tactics ever since I — ever since we went in, because the role of the commander in chief is to say to our generals, `You adjust to the enemy on the battlefield."'

Showing progress in Iraq is critical because the approaching elections are widely viewed as a referendum on the war.

A report in Sunday's New York Times said the head of the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq and Khalilzad were working on a plan that probably would — for the first time — outline milestones for disarming sectarian militias and meeting other political and economic goals.

Rumsfeld, in remarks at the Pentagon, said U.S. government and military officials were working with Iraq to set a broad timetable for Iraqis to take over 16 provinces still being controlled by U.S. troops. But he said officials were not talking about penalizing the Iraqis if they don't hit certain benchmarks.

The Iraqis have taken control of two southern provinces but have been slow to take the lead in others, particularly those around Baghdad and in the volatile regions north and west of the capital. Rumsfeld said specific target dates probably will not be set.

Rumsfeld visited the White House early Monday with Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Rumsfeld said the United States was looking at when the Iraqis would move close to setting up a reconciliation process to help quell worsening sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites.

On Monday, White House counselor Dan Bartlett said that Iraq needed to "step up" its commitment to ending sectarian violence and added of the Bush administration, "We aren't sitting there with our heads in the sand. We are completely changing on a week-by-week basis."

Facing growing impatience with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's failure to stem the carnage, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said international forces must not abandon Iraq while the situation there remains volatile.

"I do believe there is no option for the international community to cut and run," he told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. He said Iraqis and the international community need to be realistic, "but not defeatist."

"We need to understand that there is a need of utmost urgency to deal with many of the problems of Iraq but we must not give in to panic," he said.

At least 2,799 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,236 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

[afmca]

Does this mean Bush Inc, has "cut and run" from "stay the course"? Wonder how much aid and comfort the terrorists will gain from this? Is Bush going soft?

[bluestardad]

So he drops the phrase "stay the course" but keeps the policy. so what color is the duck now? how will we identify it so we don't step in it?

[monceau1]

Three-word catch phrases are idiotic.

[edjohn66]

If Bush and co. would have spent half the energy they spent trying to figure out how to spin this war on actually planning a reconstruction effort, maybe it wouldn't be such a disaster right now.

Then again, this war has been about nothing BUT political spin from the very beginning. Why should now be any different?

[dj0114]

Killing the phrase but 'staying the course' is the same thing without saying it! I guess George believes if he doesn't say it most people will think he has an open mind on this- which he doesn't.

HOW long until the next presidential election (or better- impeachment hearings once the Dems take over)?

[energyecon]

REPACKAGING AND SPIN CONTROL?!

God help us.

[b4815]

WOW......what a cesspool of mean-spirited cut and run libs!

Catch phrase or not, doesn't change the end result. Bush is an ***.

[meboard]

POOF! The President is now agile, flexable and ready to adapt to an ever chnaging enemy. Its the right wing war hawks that I feel sorry for. The White House has just doubled back on them and left them holding the bag wondering what the heck just happened. Is there anybody left who's stupid enough to support this guy?

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of idiots in the U.S. that do support his dictatorship.

[meboard]

Unlike previouse administrations that suffered a "credibility gap", this one suffers a "credibility CANYON."

[jomina1]

Actually, direct quote from Bush on ABC's "This Week" he said, when asked by George Stephanopoulus about Jim Baker's plan to develop a strategy for Iraq that is %u201Cbetween %u2019stay the course%u2019 and %u2018cut and run.%u2019%u201D...

BUSH: Well, hey, listen, we%u2019ve never been %u201Cstay the course,%u201D George. We have been %u2014 we will complete the mission, we will do our job, and help achieve the goal, but we%u2019re constantly adjusting to tactics. Constantly.

So after years of "stay the course... stay the course..." they've never been "stay the course"?

umm...

[jomina1]

Actually, direct quote from Bush on ABC's "This Week" he said, when asked by George Stephanopoulus about Jim Baker's plan to develop a strategy for Iraq that is %u201Cbetween %u2019stay the course%u2019 and %u2018cut and run.%u2019%u201D...

BUSH: Well, hey, listen, we%u2019ve never been %u201Cstay the course,%u201D George. We have been %u2014 we will complete the mission, we will do our job, and help achieve the goal, but we%u2019re constantly adjusting to tactics. Constantly.

So after years of "stay the course... stay the course..." they've never been "stay the course"?

umm...

[grumpas]

Talk about mean-spirited b4815! "Rabid Republican's" invented the word! Which is why I quit voting Republican with Ronald Reagan! I couldn't stomach all the nastiness in the party! The liberal label doesn't bother any of us anymore it sure beats being a Rabid Conservative! Which only leaves a lot of us to wonder how patriotic people like you really are? You have let that arrogant little twirp almost destroy this great country! Do you really hate the US so much you need to change it into a fascist state?

[meboard]

Jomina1 good contribution. Its a plastic phrase for a plastic President and a plastic war to serve a few plastic people who have plastic values. They hijacked this country in 2001 and are milking it for all they can get.

[meboard]

grumpas, I actually hung on and voted for Bush Sr in his first term. I jumped the SS WASP when Clinton came along.

[juliehg-2009]

"Somewhere in Texas there's a village missing an idiot!"

[meboard]

No... We've changed that old phrase too. It's now, "Somewhere in Texas, an insane asylum is missing a lunatic!"

[meboard]

Actually it's more than just one...

[meboard]

See it's just like the administration. We've changed the wording of the joke, yet the intent remains the same. It's neat how that works.

[meboard]

"Mr. Bush, in a CNBC interview, said, "Well, I've been talking about a change in tactics ever since I %u2014 ever since we went in, because the role of the commander in chief is to say to our generals, `You adjust to the enemy on the battlefield.'"'

Did you catch it folks? "...ever since I--ever since we..." He almost slipped up and let it out. This Iraq thing was all his idea. Very telling!

[b4815]

Typical of a democrat..ATTACK,ATTACK,ATTACK but offer no solutions,only hot air!

[meboard]

b4815, the republicans own and opperate the White House, the Congress and now the Supreme Court. It's your show. All the Dems can do is be the loyal oppostion until we somehow get our foot back in the door and are able to affect change. And yes, we will ATACK, ATACK, ATACK. We're not about to just role over and let you folks go unchecked.

Attack, attack, attack....isn't that what we have done under the current administration?

[peterbaldwin-2009]

If Kerry had been elected we would be out of Iraq by now. Kerry on Sunday with Stephanapolous said his plan is to have us out in a year. Bush's response to Democrat calls to have an exit date is to make juvenile remarks like "cut and run", as if its a schooolyard game of tag. Jack Reed from RI (82nd ABN)is ready to pull the plug as is Chafee's replacement, Sheldon Whitehouse (6 months). The insurgency will stand down when we start to leave.

[b4815]

God help this country if you folks do get your foot in door again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God help us? Maybe if we have a viable democrat in office we won't be hated worldwide

[meboard]

b4815, you better pray! If we get back in they'll be a come-ta-Jesus meeting with Jr.!

[b4815]

IF Kerry was elected,we would of had another 911 or worse by now.He would still be debating himself to try and figure out what to do!!!!!!!!

At least Kerry wouldn't need a microphone taped to his back to tell him how to answer simple questions like the moran in office today.

[getcentered]

Look who's flip flopin NOW! eh?

The most CURSORY president in USA history.

Vote for Democrats.
We need to remove anything "neo-con" from our government.

[getcentered]

Quote:

"advisers have said the "stay the course" phrase will no longer be used"

See it's all about wording, politics, and most importantly PSYCOLOGY.

Bush does not have an original thought of his own. He is the puppet.

[b4815]

Democrat solution......Make nice with the terrorist....FOR THE SAKE OF NATIONAL SECURITY....VOTE REPUBLICAN

[meboard]

I don't think it's about flip flopin...its more like adjusting the smoke and mirrors. What are you guys on the right calling these days b4815?

[meboard]

FOR SAKE OF THE STUPID REPUBLICANS...VOTE DEMOCRAT!

[b4815]

Anything else intelligent to say meboard.

And your posts are intelligent? hmmmmmmm......

[theoldhag]

It is most significant that this story did not include the fact that George W. Bush not only changed his stated policy of "stay the course", but actually denied that "stay the course" had ever been his (their) stated policy.

Such amnesia either indicates an impaired cognitive status, or an Orwellian intention to change the past to meet present goals, or a combination of both of the above.

God help us.

[meboard]

b4815, darling I was waiting on you? You still haven't told us what you kids on the right call Bush's policy changes? "OOOpppssses"?

[meboard]

It was widely agreed that Kerry won all three debates. And STILL Bush was reelected. Why do we bother???

[meboard]

It's like the republican hacks get a call from Karl on speed-dial at two in the morning, "And the catch phrase for today is..."

[getcentered]

"theoldhag"

wow nice one:

"Orwellian intention to change the past to meet present goals, or a combination of both of the above."

Check out what Bush said:
"Let history decide what did or did not happen"

Almost the same. I think you are on to something.

[osidebear]

The shift has begun. Even the President must now admit that "stay the course" is not a viable strategy. Wait until after the Republicans lose in droves next month. Then it will be that party leading the charge to change policies. No Republican wants to run in 2008 with the albatross of Iraq around his neck.

The more Republicans that are defeated, the faster the change will come. But it will come regardless.

[b4815]

Lets see....Dow over12100...unemployment at 4.6 what would you libs do to improve that? The only thing you guys would do is screw it up!!!!!!!!!!!Raise taxes across the board

[b4815]

No meboard...it was 4 in the morning!!!

[meboard]

Plain and simple, there's no way out of this for 2 more years. So what if the Iraq Govt fails to meet its goals? Are we going to "cut and run" leaving them to deal with the mess? Not as long as the great "Decider" is sitt'n in the chair. We're locked into this until the next Pres takes charge. Bush has even admited that it's all up to the next administration. He's divorced himself from any responsibility.

[rondumsfeld]

The man is stubborn and it's about time he changed his stubborn strategy!
I love the term Flip Flop, it is just the opposite of stubborn. The GOP wants you to think that a flip flop is something dirty like a Democrat or a French prostitute. In reality a flip flop is a good thing because it means you don%u2019t have stubborn, bullheaded people like Bush in office.

"theoldhag" I saw that!

Check this out:

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/22/bush-stay-the-course/

[urxlncy]

If candidates like Kerry contest for Presidency mind you, people not going to vote which ever party the candidate is from. So I would really like to wait and see. But one thing is true, no one is gutsy enough to stand for President after this war mess we got into all these years.

That body language in the video says it all.