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."

[marcodele]

"Snow said the president isn%u2019t out to win a popularity contest."

That's good, because so far he hasn't won any contests, especially his oil contest in Iraq.

[random_radar]

Having honed his strategy in Iraq, Bush now plans to do the same thing for America that he has done to Iraqis.

Next year we will be getting RealID, and I expect that house-to-house searches won't be long after that.

[huskerarmy]

I heard that when his advisers told him he should focus on domestic issues, Bush first thought he was in trouble because his maid in Crawford doesn't have a green card.

[lochlan-2009]

Now he wants to focus on the economy. Be afraid people, be very afraid.

[bellal-2009]

The health insurance deduction is a good idea. Long overdue. People should not be tied to their jobs like slaves due to fear of not being able to find health insurance. The sooner we get employers out of the health business the better. We are more capbable of making insurance choices than our employers.

[olebd]

Well, I see there won't be anything good on TV again tonight.

[joeyraff123]

Let's impeach him. i can't bear the thought of listening to this moron for another two years. i'd rather slam my hand in a drawer all day. he has hurt the United States more than any of our "enemies" ever could. We need to:

1. get out of Iraq strategically and quickly
2. forget about oil and natural gas forever and move quickly toward sustainable home-grown energy
3. Re-shape our foreign policies such that the US is less of a target for terrorism.

Basically, we need to put domestic security ahead of corporate profits. The US is a war machine, and the only people on this earth that don't know it are the citizens of the United states, becuase we are all watching US corporate-sponsored (i.e. censored) media or wasting brain cells worrying about american idol and the pats game. who cares about all that ***? there is genocide in the sudan, and we are in a war that 75% of the polled population is against. Why is George Bush still president? IMPEACH GEORGE BUSH.

[patriotic9]

random_radar
During my Military Career in the US Army,I was taught Seven Core Army values which have now become part of my life.The first value is LOYALTY to United States,her constitution and her people and the fourth value is SELFLESS SERVICE.
I am loyal to United States,her people and her constitution and enemy of anybody who is not loyal to the same.Anybody who consider Americans "GOD-NEGLECTED"and NON-AMERICAN EUROPEAN INVADERS IN PALESTINE "GOD-CHOSEN" and want GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICANS to sacrifice their MONEY,LIVES and COUNTRY for the NON-AMERICAN GOD-CHOSEN ENEMIES OF THE GOD'S ONLY SON is an enemy of United States,Anybody who considers AMERICA which is the best pace in the whole world"UNHOLY and GOD-NEGLECTED LAND"and considers the occupied land in Palestine by European invaders"GOD-CHOSEN and HOLY LAND"is an enemy of UNITED STATES.Anybody who considers our Costitution which separates CHURCH from STATE"UNHOLY"and consider that BIBLE which discriminates against Americans by not promising them a SINGLE PENNY while promising NON-AMERICANS a land in the MIDDLE EAST is an enemy of UNITED STATES.
I care least about my ownself as SELFLESS SERVICE is part of my training.I don't care what you comment about me but please show some SANITY by proving your comments with REASONS like I did.

[ultramafic23]

OH NO!!!! Bush is about to pay attention to the USA?? Maybe he should stick to ruining the rest of the world, it's what he's best at!!

[huskerarmy]

"The sooner we get employers out of the health business the better. We are more capbable of making insurance choices than our employers."

bellal, I agree... However, I'm concerned that this will be just another veiled deduction for the able. It seems to merely reward those who are in a position to buy their own health insurance and are fortunately not tied to whatever crapy insurance that many employers provide.

[joeyraff123]

No 'olebd', there won't be anything "good" on TV tonight. so your ignorant, brain-dead, waste-of-an-existence will have to find another way to squandor another 4 hours of your life. maybe you could sit in a corner and stare at the wall drueling? whatever you have on the agenda, i am confident it will have nothing to do with an interest in the future of our country.

[karlimhof]

Following various sites has shown me how we Americans are indeed a very agressive people. Even if we don't agree with one another - can't we be at least civil?

[clestes-2009]

complete waste of time. He has nothing of value to say on anything.

[olebd]

Sarcasm and wit are excellent coping mechanisms while dubya and his homies are in charge. You should try it.

[marcodele]

Has Karl Rove decided what Bush will say tonight yet?

[observantx]

Somebody should tell him to just cancel his appearance. He must know by now that nonbody wants to watch and listen to him stumble and mangle the language for this speech. I guarantee that if the senators and representatives didn't have to be there theplace would be empty.

Just have somebody keep him away from everything. Don't let him pick up a phone, meet anyone, attend any meetings or try to use "the internets".

Just take him to Crawford and keep evreyone away from him. That's the only way we will make any progress on domestic and foreign policy.

[karlimhof]

Watch tonights speech and see how Bush will do his "oh I'm all for working with this congress" and "I'm thinking only about the interest of America". He going to make bold b-s proposals on important domestic issues and then turn to Congress and say "now get work boys and girls" and do America's business. As if everything is honky-dory....

[bellal-2009]

bellal, I agree... However, I'm concerned that this will be just another veiled deduction for the ablePosted by huskerarmy at 01:05 PM : Jan 23, 2007

Examine it closely, huskerarmy. I think this is going to be a good thing for everyone. The problem for lower income people is that they cannot deduct anything. Hopefully this will be a deduction taken on the 1040 and not an itemized deduction. Then everyone can get the benefit. Give it a good look before judging.

[bluestardad]

Those people who support this Surge of Troops in Iraq are forcing American Soldiers to sleep with the enemy in small units exposing them to undue kidnap threat. Americans soldiers who are captured by these enemies are without mercy, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition by their captors. Still our political leadership are planning to send these Brave Men and Women in to this environment.

If American proceeds with this deployment and breaks down small American Units to live and work with these Iraqi Death Squad Units our troops will be kidnapped and handed over to such beheadings, torture and captivity as has never been seen before on Cable, Internet, and National Television. Those who support this surge in troops and the tactics it brings are responsible for every one of these deaths.

[marcodele]

Bush has had six years to propose improvements in health insurance. This is a red herring.

[meboard]

I'm still trying to think of one single successful bush administration domestic program...

[bellal-2009]

Bush has had six years to propose improvements in health insurance. This is a red herring.
Posted by marcodele at 01:42 PM : Jan 23, 2007
+ report this comment

The Democrats have had a dozen years and haven't come up with anything. Bush's job is not to figure out our health care problem. But it looks like he may hve. marcodele, you're a continuous nonstop whiner.

[vancouverboo]

But isn't it fun to watch him "twist slowly in the wind"?

(Secret Service and FBI: I'm just joking. Please don't make my life miserable by accusing my of threatening the President's life. He's a wonderful person, and I wish him long life and prosperity, too. I love him dearly and would defend his life with my own. And I love his family, too. All of them from top to bottom. God bless them all.)

[dmotte]

Vancouverboo,screw the F.B I and the Secret Service, that lying S.O.B. Bush should have been swinging with his lying couterpart Saddam.

[dallison7]

'Alternative fuels', 'a rise in fuel economy standards', 'social security reform'. Three planks right from Al Gore's platform. Interesting.

[dallison7]

careful domtte

Did you read about that 81 year old guy that got a visit from the secret service last week?

[dmotte]

It's a free country where I live so I'll say it again,Bush should have swung with the rest of the lying,cowardly ***.

[marcodele]

Bellal wrote: you're a continuous nonstop whiner.

Why do the neocons always resort to name calling when their imposter idol is exposed for the incompetent twit that he is?

[getcentered]

Bush is a silver spoon, daddy%u2019s boy, with very little power of comprehension. This guy hasn't had to WORK a day in his life, but he has made DESITIONS.

G.W. Bush is the worst President in USA history, plain and simple.

bellaL said:
"The Democrats have had a dozen years and haven't come up with anything."

What dozen years are you talking about? Maybe back in the 70's? The Dems just regained power in Congress for the first time in the last 12 years, so what are you talking about?

[inventagod]

Oh my - we now have a Domestic Issues President. Notify the electorate, the emperor bought some clothes!

[marcodele]

His health care proposal is a red herring. That's what set Bellal off - somebody exposing the emperor for what he is: naked. Bush has damaged this country and the middle east, ran up an insurmountable deficit, recruited terrorists, presided over massive intelligence failures, sent our troops to war based on "flawed intelligence" - and Bellal thinks because Junior learned how to pronounce "health care" properly that we're supposed to rejoice.

[caddillackid]

Remind me to turn all the televisions in my home off tonight at 9pm. Personally I have no interest in anything Bush has to say. In fact, allow me to write his speech, blah blah blah, blah, blah blah, (pausing for intellegent thought)...ummm....a duh, a duh, oops, this is the president's speech, I forgot, there is no intellegent thought, my mistake.

[marcodele]

Maybe he'll promise to send everyone another check for $300.00. It worked for him once.
The neocons fell for it.

[gdmoore2]

The problem is that Bush has no credibility. He has fouled up everything that he has touched. Under the next President, a Democrat, it will require two years to undo what Bush has done. It would be best if Bush did not touch anything else. He should just take 4-day weekends at Camp David, or go build a presidential library at Crawford, or go bird hunting with Cheney.

[one_american]

"It makes no difference, really, what he talks about. He could talk about monkeys in space. What people sitting out there on the floor of
the House of Representatives are thinking about is Iraq," Schieffer said.

He may as well talk about monkeys in space.

A vast quantity of Americans in this country wouldn't know the difference.

I'm glad that there are still rational-thinking Americans who will be paying attention tonight.

Then, before the closet-pedophile Democrat Jim Webb comes on for his stupid Anti-American rebuttal, I'm turning off the TV. That's when the real "space monkeys" come on...

[macusweil]

Main Entry: neo.con (ser.va.tive)
Pronunciation: 'nE-O-k&n
Function: noun or adjective
1 a : of or relating to a person or strategy of pretending to follow traditional conservatism with little or no true interest in such philosophy simply for personal, political or economic gain.

[mojo805]

Part III of III
To Scott Pelley when asked about the soundness of his plan to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq:
%u201CScott, sometimes you're the commander-in-chief, sometimes you're the educator-in-chief, and a lot of times you're both when it comes to war. And I've just gotta continue to take my message to the people and to explain to them this is a well-thought-out decision that is in the interests of the today's generation of Americans and tomorrow's generation of Americans.%u201D

*************************

Educator-in-chief? Here is a Youtube video from Scarborough Country (Is Bush an Idiot?): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whhbPVrb5KM . The worst part is that now thousands of additional American lives are at risk because the %u201Cdecider%u201D thinks he knows best.

In the past we had intelligent leaders. Thomas Jefferson springs to mind. Despite all his flaws, I don%u2019t think you can accuse Clinton of being stupid (except when it comes to decisions with what%u2019s behind his zipper). But Bush is just an embarrassment to the presidency and the prestige that the US had in the world is compromised because of him.

And finally here%u2019s the decider showing the dignity that we ask for in an elected official: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVynnbx1Xsc

[mojo805]

Part II of III
In private (from recent revelations): Alberto Gonzales: %u201CMr. President, Harriet Miers might not be qualified to be on the Supreme Court.%u201D
Bush: %u201CGonzy, I%u2019m the decider and I know more about the law than you do! And I say that Harriet Miers is qualified to be on the Supreme Court!%u201D

When asked about the reasons to go to war in Iraq in the last presidential debate: %u201CThey attacked us first!%u201D
(referring to 9/11)

Recently: %u201CI say that Maliki%u2019s the man for the job!%u201D
Bush is ignoring Maliki%u2019s signs of friendship to al-Sadr and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and is accepting al-Maliki%u2019s spoken words that he is opposed to the militias (while his government depends on political support from al-Sadr).

%u201CFool me once shame on you, If you fool me, we won%u2019t get fooled again.%u201D
Is he mixing the old quote with the lyrics from rock group, the Who?

%u201CI know that the human being and fish can coexist peacefully.%u201D

[mojo805]

Part I of III
As we watch the State of the Union Address, we should watch it in the same spirit as watching a terrible singer on American Idol. Like those %u201Csingers%u201D who are under the delusion that they can sing, Bush is under the delusion that he can lead this country and that his plans will work. Some examples:

%u201CBrownie, you%u2019ve done a heck of a job!%u201D

%u201CI%u2019m the decider and I say Rumsfeld stays!!%u201D Bush refused to accept Rumsfeld%u2019s resignation several times.

In private: %u201CColin Powell, I know more about the situation in Iraq than you do. I%u2019m accepting your resignation! I%u2019ve been waiting for you to do that for a long time now and I%u2019m safe to do it now that the public has reelected me! This is what you get when you disagree with my plans in public!%u201D

[one_american]

Still today, lots of criticism from liberals about the President's Plan for Iraq.

But alas, the Democrats have NO PLAN OF THEIR OWN.

The Democrats have become the NO-BRAIN WHINER PARTY.

[dogband]

Reduce our oil consumption by 20%. The man is a genius. I knew it all along. He should amend his constitution to allow for a 3rd term.

[bellal-2009]

Posted by marcodele at 02:20 PM : Jan 23, 2007


Marcodele, you are completely ignorant about healthcare or business or taxes so whatever Bush proposes tonight you won't understand anyway. The only thing you'd understand is if a Democrat says you get free healthcare, free rent and free food. You you'll go, "yea, go Democrats. I love you"

[marcodele]

OneAmerican: Democrats, and many Republicans, have called for a phased withdrawal on an accelerated schedule turning more and more power and authority over to the Iraqi's themselves.
That's a plan.

"Stay the course" is not a plan.
"Troop surge" (back to the same levels they were in 2005) is not a plan.

[karlimhof]

One_American

I think you've missed something important sport, there is no Democratic plan - it's an American Plan and it says we getting out of this *** sham of-a-war- put unto us by lies - got it now?

[bellal-2009]

Well then I look forward to your critique of the plan.

[adcampbell10]

It's a joke. He's a joke. My time would be better spent watching "Scooby Doo". He doesn't listen, he's unaware, and just can't get with the plan. If he were the head of a business, he would have been fired for not doing his job. I just hope that we can get out of the mess in Iraq that he's gotten us into, and save some people on both sides who would have died otherwise.

[marcodele]

Where's the plan Bellal? On Fox News? Did Bill O'Reilly say it was a really good plan?

We already have tax deductions and tax shelters for insurance and medical costs.

Since I don't see a copy of "The Plan" its hard to say much about "The Plan."

But I do know for a fact Bush has rarely sided with individuals, so I suspect it is a bonus for the drug companies and insurance CEO's.

[dallison7]

bella

If Bush EVER proposes ANYTHING that ANYONE can't understand it will because he has mispronounced it.

[bellal-2009]

I don't know what the plan is. And no we don't have tax deductions for health insurance. And I think this just may be an adjustment to income instead of an itemized deduction. I don't know.

[bellal-2009]

But I do know for a fact Bush has rarely sided with individuals, so I suspect it is a bonus for the drug companies and insurance CEO's.
Posted by marcodele at 03:06 PM : Jan 23, 2007


whine whine whine whine, yoiu never stop