Bush adding 21,500 troops to Iraq force - LIVE thread- speech 9pm EST

Yahoo/AP ^ | 1-10-07 | TerenceHunt

[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.

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Carried live online by: C-span

[do the dhue]

I liked your reply here.

txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1st Sgt. Tim Millsap A Co, 70th Eng. Bn. 3rd Bde 1st AD K.I.A. 25 April 2005

I once served as a 12 Bravo Combat Engineer. I offer my prayers for 1st Sgt Millsap.

[TexKat]

This is the part that piqued my interest. No one in the media seems to be picking up on it though.

Olberman and Matthews did. They talked about it and questioned their guest about it. I'll post their comments to you tomorrow when the transcript comes up.

[STARWISE]

Yes you do, and thank you!

[jveritas]

That is one the best things in the speech. Finally!

[arthurus]

I certainly hope so.If we take care of Iran properly the Hearts-and-Minds silliness in Iraq will take care of itself and might just do some good in changing the nature of Islam in its core area.

[Island Dee Little Sis]

"the Author of Liberty will guide us through these trying hours."

Brought tears to my eyes.

[do the dhue]

Thanks for the reply and the service txradioguy!!

[Cementjungle]

Olberman and Matthews did. They talked about it and questioned their guest about it. I'll post their comments to you tomorrow when the transcript comes up.

Thanks. I missed that.

[STARWISE]

Honestly, I think Mooki and Maliki both have bullseyes on their backs. One of them's going down ... PRAYING it's Mooki... but I think it could be close.

[princess leah]

I thought the President was very pointed and clarified many points where we haven't been on top alot due to interference on the part of the Iraqi gov't all the way to the insurgents themselves. One thing I was hoping he'd say was "if any senator, congressman or US Citizen chooses to take a trip to the middle east without this administration's consent and approval, they will be arrested and tried immediately upon their return to the US for treason! I am sick and tired of all these bozos going over to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, etc and cozy up to the enemy while dissing the President of the United States!

[jveritas]

Hi JD. The Gloves are off Finally! :)

[STARWISE]

Looks like a flaming radical protestor. Reuters: any source'll do ... LOL

[Miss Didi]

Of course the media will totally ignore the Syria/Iran angle and insist the President doesn't have a plan and is just sending troops off onn a whim.

At first I was worried that the media wouldn't report this new strategy and then I thought...well, W will just go ahead with it anyway, and then one day--surprise! Just like the recent Somalia attacks.

[Island Dee Little Sis]

Oh I believe on a daily basis we see lots if Dims who warrant treason charges...I can't believe there are morons in this country who vote these jerks into office!

[STARWISE]

Four words: It's a new day

[GOP-Pat]

Where did you hear that Smith's come out agains the speech?

He was on Fox News several times, saying he was against it, even BEFORE the president gave the speech.

[STARWISE]

FOFL!!

[syriacus]

So do you think Iraqis will ultimately be more or less viciously anti-American than the South Koreans are today?

Which particular Iraqi are you talking about? Which particular South Korean are you talking about? I only know of one South Korean family and they aren't anti-American.

[STARWISE]

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[jveritas]

Bad jveritas :(

I am doing fine and I am doing better after hearing the President speech :)