Bush Puts Hard Sell On His Iraq Plan

President Reviews Troop Increase In Speech To Soldiers At Fort Benning

(CBS/AP)  One day after President Bush announced his strategy for Iraq in a prime-time address to the nation, he took his plan — to increase U.S. forces in Iraq by 21,500 and demand greater cooperation from Iraq's government — on the road.

To start selling his plan, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod, Mr. Bush picked about the friendliest audience he could find: soldiers at Fort Benning, Ga.

"The situation in Iraq is difficult, no question about it," Mr. Bush told about 300 soldiers and family members. "... It's important for our fellow citizens to understand that failure in Iraq would be a disaster for our future."

He said new brigades sent to Iraq will focus on quelling sectarian violence in urban areas, particularly Baghdad.

"They will help Iraqis take the lead in securing neighborhoods," Mr. Bush said. "They will have a clear and defined mission."

The mood was polite but muted, reports Axelrod. It was more somber than usual for a president talking to soldiers – perhaps because a surge means some of these troops will deploy to Iraq for their fourth or fifth tours.

While the president was taking his plan on the road Thursday, his top administration officials were out in force working to persuade a skeptical Democratic-led Congress to accept Mr. Bush's troop buildup as the last best chance for reversing Iraq's slide.

"All Americans know that the stakes in Iraq are enormous, and we all share the belief that the situation is currently unacceptable. On this we are united," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters.

Regardless, the plan drew fierce opposition from congressional Democrats, but the Senate's top Republican threatened a filibuster to block any legislation expressing disapproval of the plan.

Democrats had already pounced on Mr. Bush's plan to increase troops in Iraq as a bad mistake that ignores public sentiment and the advice of top generals.

"In choosing to escalate the war, the president virtually stands alone," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a Senate speech. However, he promised to give the plan careful consideration.

Many Republicans, too, are clearly tired of the war, which has cost more than 3,000 American troops their lives, and played a major role in the Democratic takeover of Congress in last fall's elections.

"At this late stage, interjecting more young American troops into the crossfire of an Iraqi civil war is simply not the right approach," said Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla. "We are not going to solve an Iraqi political problem with an American military solution," he said in remarks on the House floor.

And Americans' opinions were not swayed very much by President Bush's Wednesday evening speech outlining his new strategy for the war in Iraq, according to a CBS News poll.

Fifty percent of those who saw the speech said they disapprove of the president's proposals, while 37 percent said they approve. Just one-third of those surveyed said they support Mr. Bush's call to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq.

Following the speech, 68 percent of Americans — the same number as prior to the speech — said they were uneasy about the president's ability to make decisions about Iraq.

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Read more about the CBS News poll
Key Elements Of Bush Plan
Speech Excerpts
Congressional Response
World Reaction

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Ahead of testimony on Capitol Hill, Gates told a White House briefing it remains unclear how long the military buildup ordered by Mr. Bush will last.

"It's viewed as a temporary surge, but I think no one has a really clear idea of how long that might be," Gates said.

In a Thursday briefing, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., looked ahead.

"I do not guarantee victory or success with this new strategy," McCain said. "I do guarantee the consequences of failure. If we do fail, then there’s going to be chaos in the region and I believe that we will pay an even heavier price in American blood."

Democrats still spoke out against the proposed buildup. Reid said Mr. Bush ignored the results of November's midterm elections that ended 12 years of GOP control of Congress, ignored the advice of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group and "a significant number of top generals."

"Putting more U.S. combat forces in the middle of a civil war is a mistake," Reid said.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told CBS News' The Early Show that since the new Democratic-led Congress convened last week, "questions are now being asked of this administration that haven't been asked for almost four years."

[luvny-2009]

He knew he'd face a battle...it's a win win for him. If they say NO then he says the Dems are the ones to blame for not letting HIM fix Iraq. If they do go our kids will die (but he could care less) and when it fails because it's just a bandaid then he'll say well I tried and it's the Iraqi's fault they can control their people.

[bluestardad]

No plan going in and he has none for getting America out. The Iraqi Civil War is not a threat to America. Pull the Troops out!

[hillaryin08]

Hey

The CBS Military Analyst Mitch Mitchell used to be the drummer for Jimi Hendrix.

I thought he looked framilure.

[bluestardad]

Senator Lieberman from Connecticut was even mentioned by President Bush. What an honor. Thank you Connecticut for putting someone like Joe Lieberman in Office. You can look to your election with pride. Why don%u2019t the entire state of Connecticut volunteer to go to Iraq and fight. In fact all the states who%u2019s senators and representatives who support the war should have to send their children to the war effort.

[hillaryin08]

If Liberman was good enough to be your vice president, why are you dissing him now? Same reasons the Democrats cast aside Algore, Kerry, and Murtha?

[santo_marco]

After WWII, America was looked upon as the bringer of World Peace. This left a tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of the United States. Regardless of the underlying political agenda, there is no doubt that the Iraqi people were oppressed by a pscyhopathic dictator which used mass killings and intimidation to maintain control. How do you "plan" for the chaos that was certain to follow?

Our military, first and foremost, through fighting and community outreach, have had the most positive impact on the common people of Iraq.

Had the roles been reversed; had YOU (who insist on pulling out "NOW"!)been the part of common people of Iraq, you would be praying with every fiber of your being that the US stay until the "ALL NEW" Iraqi military and democracy was strong enough to stand on their own feet.

[creeper00]

PLEASE READ!

There are protests all over the country today. Find one. Go there.

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?r=2307&submit=Search&action_id=72&id=9686-5471405-wgbKV_PZI2K_qTd7G4.PSQ&t=3&search_zip=52730&search_distance=30

[skyk-2009]

It doesn't matter to Sir Lies Alot what the American People think or want. He's been assigned by God to lead us to the end times. This losers is a complete FANATIC and needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. This isn't new folks. In my day they called it Vietnamization and the results will be just as bad if not worse. I lost two very good friends when members of the RVN Army turned in the middle of a fight. We can't "Fix" this anymore than we could "FIX" Vietnan.

[bvoiers]

A troop build up it is not the wright thing to do.
The president is trying to fix his mess he created by sending additional troops. In my opinion it is doubtful that this will fix the situation. Why put more American lives at risk?
And for what? The violence between religious sekts is an Iraqi problem. They have made no efforts to help the situation in their own country. 21000 more troops won't change that. The only thing that will make them be responsible is to start withdrawing troops and force them to be responsible for their own country.

[santo_marco]

Who are you to state he's been assigned by God? Seems that you're the fanatic. To make statemenets in His name is means for condemnation.

DO ANY OF YOU HAVE A BETTER PLAN BESIDES "GET OUT NOW!"

I'd like to hear it...if not, SHUT UP!

[luvny-2009]

santo_marco I believe what shyk means by saying that is...Bush said that, he was quoting Bush

[luvny-2009]

MarkS7177 - VERY nice!

[meboard]

Poor mr. bush... He sees that brass ring (oil) just within reach, but nobody will cooperate.
He'll just keep throwing troops and money at it and maybe...just maybe...something will happen.
Don't expect any real change to the current situation until Jan 2009 and a new Democratic President.
Sorry Repubs, bush mismanaged you guys completely out of power for the foreseeable future...

[jeffstersf]

Someday soon the word "Bush" will be synonymous with "failure" in the way that the word "Edsel" is today. "Man, I really bushed that exam".

Desperate times call for desperate measures. But after four years of failed measures, it%u2019s time to get OUT!

[bvoiers]

Is President Bush the President of the American or the Iraqi peopl?. One must wonder. He always seems to be so concerned about the welfare of the Iraqi people. What about the American Military families? Some of them are getting ready to go threw this hell for the third time.
The President hat no idea what it is like to have a loved one serving in Iraq. You don't have a live, you are walking on egg shells all the time, praying no one comes to your door. How concerned is he about the welfare of the families that have lost loved ones? And does he understand what American Families go through when their soldier does come home. Yes by the grace of GOD those are the lucky ones. But with your soldier coming home it is not over. Why does it seem the welfare of the Iraqi people is so important when so many families across the country are affected by this. How come he never speaks of their welfare?

[webdepot]

Excuse me Marco... just who the hell do you think you are to tell anyone else to shut up..

Ya know... all the rants from you Repukes and NeoCons could possibly bear some weight IF, and a big IF, the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam were not planned out BEFORE 9/11... BEFORE Lies a Lot was president.... by the very people that made up his cabinet...

All the NeoCons needed was a glory seeking psychotic that they could run for president and manipulate and boy... they sure found the right lunatic in Lies a Lot..

[bvoiers]

creeper 00

how can I find out about protests today in my local area?

[rharrin1]

You will not see a surrender on the deck of a destroyer but we will show you a pipe with oil being pumped through it.

[inventagod]

Dear Mr. Bu$h -

NO.

Your reign is over. Checks and balances have returned to American politics.

Work with Congress, or we will impeach you.

[observantx]

I watched the speech and was surprised. There he was, with actual coherent sentences and passably good grammar coming out of his mouth. How did he do that? We have never seen that before. Was there a teleprompter? Was he drilled over and over for the speech? Was he hypnotized? Was it a stand-in and not the president? In the end it doesn%u2019t matter, since no matter how nice the speech; its content and meaning are %u201Cstay the course%u201D.

The surge (aka escalation) is at best a gradual ebb. It boosts troops in Baghdad and sprinkles a few more in Anbar province. The insurgents and militias will just leave town for a while and wait the troops out. The worst part is that the Iraqis need to take up the burden of responsibility that they have so rigorously avoided so far. From what we have seen so far, I wouldn%u2019t bet a nickel on it.

Our worse predicament is that we are allied to a %u201Cgovernment%u201D that is merely a front for the Shiite militias. Al-Maliki and most of the ministers are puppets who will tell us what we want to hear and do what is in their own narrow sectarian interests.

It boils down to more of the same mistake: too little and too late. The window of opportunity opened briefly years ago and it has been nailed shut. It is time to stop trying to pry the window open and open the door out of that country and shut it firmly behind us. Only the Iraqis can save themselves. It%u2019s time for tough love here.

[webdepot]

Let's see now:

Iraq Commission: no more troops
The American people: no more troops
The top Generals: no more troops (but I can fix that one... just replace them with my "yes" men.)
The international community: no more troops
The Iraqi Government: no more troops
The Iraqi people: get out

Sooooooo..... Bush's solution: Send more troops.

I suppose that's what we get for allowing the NeoCon world dominance machine to install a wacko president that hears voices in his head...

Time to retire the idiot and send him back to his village.... they have been without their village idiot long enough..

[meboard]

ObservantX , bush has been practicing for weeks on this speach. D I C K made the decision for more troops weeks ago...bush's keepers spent the rest of the time coaching shrub on how to pronounce words and gesture--look censer without smerking, etc. It's not easy getting him ready for public display!

[ihatebush1]

The reason why those like me from the middle as well as those on the left had better speak up.

Is because those on the right - by their very nature - will blame this whole mess on their opposition.

[clestes-2009]

This is a BIG mistake to go along with all the other BIG mistakes this idiot has made. I am glad to hear he accepts responsibility for previous mistakes, but it is obvious that he has learned NOTHING from them.

Robert Gates has turned out to be a liar. So he went not to be a bump on a log and voice his opinion. Why didn't just say upfront that he was going along with Dubya on anything Dubya says. He has no answer for how long these "extra" troops (who are really troops already there, but are having their tours of duty extended) are going to stay. They will be there for another 2 years until the next president, a Democratic, brings them home, in pieces.

Anyone who expects the Iraq cabinet to live up to their promises should think about this. Al-Maliki first loyalty is to the Shiites, not Iraq and definately not to the US. He is NOT capable of bringing the violence down in Baghdad. He would have done so before now if he could. All these promises to do more are just empty promises. He has agreed because he has no choice.

So the million dollar question is: What is Bush going to do when this surge fails to bring victory??

[clestes-2009]

to continue...

He will no doubt convince himself that he really won, no matter what the actual result really is and retire to Crawford to write his memoirs (which will not mention all the mistakes he has made) and brag about how he brought democracy to the middle east, whether it is there or not.

What a miserable excuse for a president. AND I hear that Jeb is making noises about running for president! Haven't we had enough of the Bush family yet??

[ceekuei]

My heart goes out to Bush, for there stood a man of Shakespearian tragedy not knowing what to do with the destruction he has wrought. He is a product of the neocons' tragic and greedy policy on Iraq. Most, if not all, have either abandoned him or have gone on with the lives and careers. A few like Cheney should not be allowed to just fade away. He is apparently the main man behind the mess for the oil that he craved. There is a 30-year contract that provides American and British oil companies the "right" to Iraq's oil fields. Profits would be 70% to 30% in favor of the foreign companies. The truth has finally seen the light of day and the criminal intent of Bush and Cheney has surfaced. They are criminals and terrorists in executive suits. A clarion call to impeach these men should be heard loud and clear all over America. Thousands - both Americans and Iraqis - have died for the oil Bush and gang want. Compare with Saddam, Bush's killings and destruction at home and abroad seem insignificant. Sending more troops in harm's way is just another of Bush's deadly gesture signifying that he is still in charge.

[roger_inkart]

Comment: it's time to put the constant bashing of politics aside, and unite together for our country's well being.

Translation: Let GW do whatever he wants and shut up.

Forget it. This is our nation too, and we outnumber the fools willing to let Bush run it into the ground. Just because you and he lack the intellectual mettle to see what we folks call 'reality' doesn't mean we should all jump on your apocalyptic bandwagon.

[missmyhubby]

I think the speech made it very clear...this isn't about Iraq, this is about Iran...why else appoint and Admiral in charge and move ships into position...My husband is halfway through his deployment in Iraq, but when will he come home?? The President has his eye on Iran and is building his troop force just for that!

The most frustrating part....what can we do???????????

[inventagod]

"God Bless our troops.

God Bless our president.

God Bless America."

The Taliban has phrases like that....

And when you blindly put your faith in any leader, you have lost your way. You may as well just drink the kool-aid and lie down to die. Hero-worship is not what made America great. Thus the term democracy.

[jn122736]

%u201CSenator Lieberman from Connecticut was even mentioned by President Bush. What an honor. Thank you Connecticut for putting someone like Joe Lieberman in Office. You can look to your election with pride. Why don%u2019t the entire state of Connecticut volunteer to go to Iraq and fight. In fact all the states who%u2019s senators and representatives who support the war should have to send their children to the war effort.%u201D

Posted by bluestardad at 08:42 AM : Jan 11, 2007

Makes me wonder if the Democrats decision not to impeach Bush could possibly have been part of an agreement with Lieberman to gain a majority in the senate. It would also help explain the huge support for Lieberman, from republicans, in the November election.
All I know about the Iraq fuasco is what I read and hear in the news

[roger_inkart]

The nation should and will look to the dems to end this farce. All members of congress should go on record either being for or against the escalation.

It amazes me that anyone - even if it's onlt 16% of the nation - would want to escalate the number of troops in Iraq. But then again it amazes me there are still a good number of jingoistic idiots who get off on his reckless cowboy routine.

[gdmoore2]

Bush lied his way into a war of attrition. Given how well we were doing in Afghanistan up to that point, all Bush did was rescue defeat from the jaws of victory. Bush does not deserve our support. All Bush will do is delay withdrawal until it does not occur on his watch, meanwhile killing several hundred more Americans. Bring the troops home.

[johnshaft4]

Bush needs to be kissing tail at the UN begging for "Peace Keeping" Forces to bail him out.

[observantx]

Singingrick:

I, too, wish God to bless our troops and the country. I am very reluctant to extend that wish to the president. The damage this man and his cohorts have done to our Constitution, our reputation, our security, and our armed forces, will echo down through the years.

As for the partisan bickering, who started it? Who had full control of the Congress for the past 6 years and used that power to slam the opposition into the dirt every single chance it got? And now we%u2019re all supposed to turn the other cheek. I%u2019m sorry, I ran out of cheeks along time ago.

The %u201Cuniter%u201D clawed a huge chasm into the fabric of our nation, dividing us as no other person has ever done before. His brain, Rove employed the politics of extremism and division to obtain and keep power for the neocon empire builders. Only until this president and his cutthroat handlers are gone and hopefully in prison, will this nation begin to heal and become united again.

I%u2019m not particularly religious, but I am fairly certain that Jesus , if alive today, would have driven this bunch out of the White House with a knotted rope, just as he drove the money changers from the Temple long ago.

[jn122736]

Continued from 10:20 AM : Jan 11, 2007 posting;

All I know about the Iraq fiasco is what I read and hear in the news, But I have to agree with ObservantX, The insurgents will simply move to another location and operate from there or wait it out. They will have plenty of notice before being attacked and even have help in moving since the Iraqi army is made up partly of insurgents in waiting. The extra 20,000 troops cannot control ALL of Iraq. Also, the extra money Bush wants for %u201Chelping small business may buy faked cooperation from the Iraqi government.

[inventagod]

George Bu$h is a power-drunk front man for the defence industry. I cannot remember a time when he did anything good for the voters, nor listened to them. He will keep invading counrties as long as there is a buck to be made. When Congress decides to quit funding the madness - only then will there come a change in how the USA is perceived in the world.

Two More Years!

[bmanther]

singinrick you are a looney tune. You and Bush are in another world. Open up your eyes and put your alliance with America not some mentally deficient president.

[bmanther]

Impeach Bush and Chaney then put them on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

First things first. IMPEACH BUSH and show the world that Americans are not the monster he is!!!!

[skyk-2009]

Well if nothing else all of us who were living under the belief that what our founders created still exist have been given a wake up call. This pathetic Southern Fascist has, more or less, simply told us he'd do what he wanted and to hell with the will of the People. It's sad that we have been taken down, the greatest democracy on earth, by a simple minded Christian Fanatic. I now do not see much difference between the Taliban and what we have.

[book54552134]

This is simply ever more propaganda from this Administration. One cannot believe a word that comes out of any of their mouths. They are all scoundrels & liars.

[clestes-2009]

singinrick, so support this pitiful excuse for a president, just because he is president??

What the hell for?? This latest mistake in a long line of them, is going to continue to drag us into debt and get more US troops killed. And for what, this ***'s legacy??

No way.

[rharrin1]

When this new venture fails as it will fail, it is going to be very interesting to see what all these republican right wing conservatives have to say.

I know like their leader the finger pointing will begin, maybe this time they will use GENERAL GRANT or maybe GENERAL CUSTER

[frankly6]

singinrick

George Bush and God have nothing to do with eachother. Neither does the article above say anyhting about God or the Bible.

Do you think this is a religeous forum? It isn't. If you are not intelligent or informed enough to speak to the issues raised in the article perhaps you are in the wrong place. This is not a pulpit and it's not your ministry. If you've come here to preach then you are an arrogant nut.

[downtowner97]

New strategy? There were 20,000 more troops than there are now in Iraq at the end of 2005, and things got worse at that time in spite of them.

[rharrin1]

frankly6

You have to be careful his feelings get hurt easily you know cry baby. Besides he is an atheist.

[skyk-2009]

santo_marko,
What are you babbling about? That WAS NOT the reason given for INVADING Iraq by Sir Lies Alot!! American's have a long and great history of NOT invading other nations UNLESS they pose a THREAT and a very REAL threat to this nation. Saddam was a bad man, I'll give you that, but he posed NO threat to this nation and he was producing NO WMD's to harm this nation. Since we came back from Vietnam and the ONLY good all those men who died there had, was that this nation would use our most vital resource, our young people, as a LAST resort. That means when there is NOTHING else we can do. It WAS NOT in our national BEST INTEREST that Saddam be hung in the manner he was and we have an Incompetent Sick MORON in control of our country. These are just facts.

[rharrin1]

skyk

AMEN

Just over oil.

[rharrin1]

It will take as long as it takes to secure the oil.

[frankly6]

singinrick

George Bush and God have nothing to do with eachother. Neither does the article above say anyhting about God or the Bible. You clearly do not even read the articles because they challenge your pathetic world view.

Do you think this is a religeous forum? It isn't. If you are not intelligent or informed enough to speak to the issues raised in the article perhaps you are in the wrong place. This is not a pulpit and it's not your ministry. If you've come here to preach then you are an arrogant nut.

[random_radar]

Excuse me, singinrick, while I puke.

The constitution defines treason as giving aid and comfort to our enemies. By supporting the president, you are committing treason.

It is long since time for Americans to stand up and defend the constitution. Our government leaders flaunt constitution while running their totalitarian regime. We are ruled by an empire of evil.

The Declaration of Independence says that when the government no longer acts for their defence and well-being, the people are justified in overthrowing the government. Like sheep, we have forgotten what it means to be free.

What do we mean when we say free? Free from what? How about free to do what we please without interference from the government. Isn't that what freedom is all about? Judging by that standard, we are no longer a free country.