Bush: Give Iraq Plan "A Chance To Work"

President Confronts Skeptical Congress And American Public In State Of The Union Address

(CBS/AP)  A politically weakened President Bush implored a skeptical Congress Tuesday night to embrace his unpopular plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq, saying it represents the best hope in a war America must not lose. "Give it a chance to work," he said.

Facing a political showdown with Democrats and Republicans alike, Mr. Bush was unyielding on Iraq in his annual State of the Union address. He also sought to revive his troubled presidency with proposals to expand health insurance coverage and to slash gasoline consumption by 20 percent in a decade.

Democrats — and even some Republicans — scoffed at his Iraq policy. Unmoved by Mr. Bush's appeal, Democrats said the House and Senate would vote on resolutions of disapproval of the troop buildup.

"We need a new direction," said freshman Sen. Jim Webb, picked by the Democrats to deliver their response to the president's speech. "The majority of the nation no longer supports the way this war is being fought; nor does the majority of our military," said Webb, a Vietnam veteran opposed to Mr. Bush's invasion of Iraq.

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, also took issue with Mr. Bush. "I can't tell you what the path to success is, but it's not what the president has put on the table," he said.

It was a night of political theater as the president went before the first Democratic-controlled Congress in a dozen years with his lowest approval ratings in polls.

A CBS News poll conducted by Knowledge Networks immediately after the speech found that 82 percent of viewers generally approved of the president's proposals while 18 percent disapproved. However, 68 percent of viewers said Mr. Bush will not be able to accomplish his goals, while 32 percent think he will.

Mr. Bush rallied some support for his Iraq plan among those who watched the speech, according to the poll. Before the State of the Union, 43 percent of them backed the plan, while 52 percent of them supported it after the speech.

"This was a much better speech and a much better argument for his position than he made when he made the speech announcing the troop increase two weeks ago," CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said. "But frankly, it comes down to this: If the president is right on this, this is going to be seen as a great profile in courage. If he's wrong, it will be seen as something much different."

With debate over the Iraq war sending Republicans scurrying away from the president, Mr. Bush's job approval rating stood at a new low of 28 percent in the latest CBS News poll.

Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, the first woman to lead the House, sat over Mr. Bush's shoulder, next to Vice President Dick Cheney. Reaching out to the Democrats, the president opened with a tribute to Pelosi and paused to shake her hand. He also asked for prayers for South Dakota Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson, hospitalized for more than a month after suffering a brain hemorrhage, and Republican Rep. Charlie Norwood of Georgia, who's suffering from cancer.

The speech audience included up to a dozen House and Senate members who have announced they are running for president in 2008 or are considered possible contenders.

Mr. Bush divided his speech between domestic and foreign issues, but the war was topic No. 1.

Pelosi set the tone for Democrats. She sat silently and did not applaud as Mr. Bush warned of high stakes in Iraq and said American forces must not step back before Baghdad is secure.

With Congress poised to deliver a stinging rebuke on his troop increase, the president made a personal plea to lawmakers.

"I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you made," Mr. Bush said. "We went into this largely united, in our assumptions and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure."

"Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq and I ask you to give it a chance to work," he said. "And I ask you to support our troops in the field and those on their way."

The president said the Iraq war had changed dramatically with the outbreak of sectarian warfare and reprisals.

"This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we are in," he said. "Every one of us wishes that this war were over and won. Yet it would not be like us to leave our promises unkept, our friends abandoned and our own security at risk.

"Ladies and gentlemen: On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle," the president said. "So let us find our resolve and turn events toward victory."

[xsoldier2]

I worked in the White House almost every *** day for 4 years, how many of you believe that the *** first ladies bed had boxes under it that never were moved by a cleaning crew? You must be the same ones that believe in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. She had Vince Foster Killed my friends because he and her had been having an affair for some 15 years and as Ken Starr got close to that fact and Vince was about to confess he was murdered. Come on boys and girls we all know that you can%u2019t squeeze blood out of a turnip but you can squeeze until something pees. The Clintons were as rotten as 400 year old eggs.

[aisat2666]

Gladys, USMCwife,

Are you two married? You sound like husband and wife.

Eithrr that, or both of you are Lierbman

[xsoldier2]

The hate you display will only destroy you. Inaccurate propaganda you have been listening to from the news media has hurt you. If you want to be a little intellectual, think for your self and find the accurate facts.

[mikevilkin]

It's time to take our military out of Iraq and to deploy it on our borders. America is being invaded. America will become Amexico... right after another civil war.
Folks, buy assault weapons. Civil war is coming.

--Michael Vilkin

[dmotte]

Have you noticed that the idiot Bush is always groping for words in his speeches and there is always a blank look in his eyes when asked a question.I think there is a blank space on top of his shoulders.He should have swung with the other scumbags in Iraq.

[rf35]

I%u2019m not saying %u201Ccut and run,%u201D but I do favor a gradual draw-down. If we up and leave too quickly, the government will not survive and in the ensuing power vacuum, another Saddam or worse will take the reins and we%u2019ll be right back where we started. However, if American troops are still in Iraq at levels anywhere near what they are now by the time Bush leaves office, then his failure will be complete. There has to be some middle ground that can get America out of Iraq without allowing their government to collapse. Maybe a huge surge in troops to wipe the insurgents out would be the way to go. Maybe pulling all Americans out and turning the country into a very large glass parking lot would have the best chance at success. I%u2019m not claiming to have the answers%u2026if I did, I would run for president myself and fix this mess. I am saying there must be a better way of dealing with Iraq than what we are doing now or what my Commander in Chief has proposed. If anybody has any serious thoughts, I urge you to write to your Representatives and Senators. This is the basis of democracy, is it not? And just maybe someone will hit on an idea that hasn%u2019t been thought of yet.

[rf35]

After reading the first 10 pages of comments, I can see this isn't really going anywhere, but here's my 2 cents anyway. Last night was one of the most graceful speeches Junior has given in my memory. I liked his comments on energy reform and health insurance. It remains to be seen if anything will actually come of them. On immigration, he talked a lot without saying much. He has some good ideas, some bad, but didn't seem to have much to say on how these goals would be achieved. Kinda like Iraq: good ideas, but how will they come to pass.
As a serviceman who has spent time in Iraq and a student of ancient history, I feel confident in saying that peace in Iraq or any part of the Middle East is not possible. The culture is based on warfare. The religion is based on warfare. The region has been in conflict since humans first arrived there. They can no more tolerate peace than Americans could tolerate living under Imperial Japanese rule! America cannot be involved in this indefinitely.

[random_radar]

"I don't think McCain was sleeping. I think he actually croaked, but the Republicans aren't going to admit it until after he's elected."

Actually, they won't notice until after his term expires. Reagan was a great president because he was unconscious for eight years.

[random_radar]

Its too bad we only sing the first stanza of the national anthem. If we ever got to the fourth verse, we might learn something. In particular, I like the line

"Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just"

Two hundred years ago Americans understood that you don't just kill everyone who gets in your way and fight wars for the hell of it. We actually had national leaders (like George whathisname) who promoted peace and prosperity by avoiding wars.

Of course, there are wars that must be fought against aggressors who won't leave you alone. Aghanistan started out looking like such a war. But modern America sure likes to pick a fight. We go on to Iraq, and now Somalia (a war of revenge), and perhaps Iran soon.

There is no point in asking "Where will it all end?" There will be no end.

[marcodele]

I don't think McCain was sleeping. I think he actually croaked, but the Republicans aren't going to admit it until after he's elected.

[marcodele]

Scouser691: Thanks for posting that. I was thinking that this morning. Do you suppose Karl Rove really thought of the Lennon song when he wrote that? How ironic we've deteriorated so far in our social mores that our President and his followers are chanting "give war a chance."
Scary!

[scouser691]

Good one middlecrank, f*cking hilarious. Check it out folks

[jeffstersf]

No, I think One_American is on something FAR more mentally debilitating than just Jack Daniels. So selective in what he obverves. Ted Kennedy asleep? On YouTube you can see a video of War Proponant #2 (McCain) asleep during his buddy's speech: http://www.youtube.com/share?v=WkkTFVIxMQs&embed=1

[random_radar]

"U.S. senate rejects Bush's plan"

...with a non-binding vote that does nothing to stop him. They are still going to fund the war and support the troops. It is a political ploy to make you think they stand for something.

[random_radar]

"Democrats are not serious about protecting America."

No one in the government is claiming that fighting in Iraq is to protect America. The official line is that we are democratizing the Middle East. Government reports even say openly that the Iraq war is creating more terrorist threats to the United States.

So I would agree with the statement that neither Republicans or Democrats are serious about protecting America. If they were, our military would be at home securing the borders of our nation against terrorists.

[random_radar]

"Did anyone hear Boy Bush mention "wanted dead or alive" Osama bin Laden?"

President Bush and a lot of other government officials already admitted that Osama bin Laden died in the assalt in Aghanistan. They resurrected him for a while to use as a bogey man, but now they have basically forgotten about him since dead men are only marginally useful.

[johnshaft4]

If Bush wasn't so greedy, he could finance the 'surge' with some of the of cash from the sale proceeds from the 500% increase in Afghan opium production.

Remember Iran/Contra and S. American cocaine (brought to you by Fox 'News hero' Col. Oliver North)? Let's not forget 'Nam and heroin either.

The Bush Afghan Drug cartel must be making a killing...

[scouser691]

All bush is saying is give war a chance

[bluestardad]

Wait unit one U.S. Soldier is shown on Video Pleading for their lives while someone cuts off their head! Then you will see how the American People deal with our Elected Officials that have sent us to this war and supported this surge after we voted for withdrawl.

[scouser691]

U.S. senate rejects Bush's plan