Posted on 01/10/2007 2:30:20 PM PST by STARWISE
Unswayed by anti-war passions, President Bush will send 21,500 additional U.S. troops to Iraq and build the American presence there toward its highest level to quell worsening bloodshed. The move puts Bush on a collision course with the new Democratic Congress and runs counter to advice from some senior generals.
Set to announce his decisions in a prime-time speech Wednesday night, Bush was to acknowledge making major mistakes in Iraq, primarily failing to deploy enough U.S. soldiers and demand more Iraqi troops and cooperation to confront the country's near-anarchy.
In advance of Bush's address, White House counselor Dan Bartlett said U.S. military operations have been "handcuffed by political interference by Iraqi leadership" — but now will proceed under rules allowing troops to confront Shiite militias as well as Sunni insurgents.
(snip)
The new Democratic leaders of Congress met with Bush and complained afterward that their opposition to a buildup had been ignored. "This is the third time we are going down this path. Two times this has not worked," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "Why are they doing this now? That question remains."
Senate and House Democrats are arranging votes urging the president not to send more troops. While lacking the force of law, the measures would compel Republicans to go on record as either bucking the president or supporting an escalation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carried live online by: C-span
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The idiot Todd from Roll Call on with Chrissy.
First of all Chrissy just repeated his mantra that Bush lied to get us into Iraq...
But, then they said that "it is just as PATRIOTIC to be against the war, and want to stop it...than to fight to win it"....
On the other hand, perhaps it is wrong. Has anyone actually HEARD Brownback say this, or are we simly going on reports from AP and CNN?
I heard that about Brownback.....geeeeeeeeeez!
I'm to the point .. screw the cowards, even on our side
I'm tried of these pansy
SEN. NORMAN COLEMAN (R), MINNESOTA: If Iraq is to fulfill its role as a sovereign and democratic state, it must start acting like one. It is for this reason that I oppose the proposal for a troop surge. I oppose the proposal for a troop surge in Baghdad, where violence can only be defined as sectarian.
SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D), MONTANA: Mr. President, I believe it is time for our combat troops to come home from Iraq. America entered into this war with motivations that were clearly honorable, but they were mistaken.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/10/sitroom.01.html
As someone on this thread stated, Bush is a good poker player but his finesse is so good, I bet he is an excellent bridge player too.
How can you endure watching those cretins?
From your typing fingers to God's eyes....
Oh fercryinoutloud, the content of SOTU and other presidential speeches is routinely passed out to the press beforehand. Almost to the extent there is no point watching the speech. Matthspews and Gargoyl are just stirring up stink.
Heck, FoxNews had speech points on their crawler.
txsleuth said Brownback was saying it in Iraq, incredibly, on a trip there right now. Don't know the source. I'll ask.
Oh, Shep Smith is waxing euphoric about how many Republicans oppose this. Feh.
Shep just mentioned that there were some - I guess he is going to say 'who' after the break.
"I hope this means the military is allowed to Break things again..."
Mosques?
Exactly!!!
I'm actually quite shocked about Coleman.
"Thad Cochran has come out FOR the Bush plan...so that is what 2 GOP Senators...McCain and Cochran??"
Good for Thad! Surely there will be more! Let's hope they have not all lost their nerve...(rolling eyes)
Gregory's tin foil hat is on too tight Now isn't this just the opposite of what we were told today...that the White House DOES release their speeches ahead of time to the press??
Yes
Replying on my cell phone so can't give full answer. All major presidential addresses are given to media a few hours in advance. Goes back to days when print media dominated and print reporters had deadlines to make evening and morning editions.
Rick Santorum will be on Hugh Hewitt at the top of the hour
Mitch McConnell.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.