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.
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Not necessarily, but I DO know they created the old STU3 for a reason ;-) (you old military farts will get that one)
And why is it that the American people's memory is so short that they continue to believe a lying and stupid press corps? The press was wrong in 1864 and it's still wrong in 2007 and yet there are way too many people (including a lot on FR) who will believe anything reported.
Did he say why sage? This one shocks me way more than anyone else at this point.
Pretty much along the lines of the Dems talking point
Iraqi needs to show it really wants a free country and are willing to fight for it and that he's had enough of soldiers being killed
Very good, I'm glad to hear that.
Agreed.
I ALWAYS listen to the President. I asked a simple question...not bashing him.
I would be SHOCKED if Cornyn did not support the plan!
I move that congress goes to Iraq on point as well.
Ollie wants more trainers, more civilian affairs officers, more iraqis fighting. all good ideas, but I don't think that alone will solve it.
Did you happen to hear Kit Bond speak today? Our local radio station was reporting that Bond "changed his mind" about supporting the President's Iraq plan, overnight. But I haven't got the gist of what he said yesterday, and what he said today.
Thanks. As I said, it seems to me to be the best thing I have read. I'm glad to read that the Bush administration is putting the squeeze on everybody involved.
I'm with you. What I think is that Coleman is scared to death he will lose his seat next time. If President Bush were doing well in polls and if Iraq, while troubled, was polling better, especially in MN, I do not think he would be saying this. And it utterly disgusts me. It won't happen, but I would like to see all of these weasel Republicans punished by the Republican Party and the WH.
And if you get to the negotiation table, they're lying.
Someone needs to tell Senator Brokeback that nobody cares what he thinks. He's not Commander in Chief and at the rate he's going, he never will be. This country isn't interested in electing cowards.
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/16429391.htm
Brownback opposes surge
I can't remember everything he said, but here is Ollie's last article.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/OliverNorth/2007/01/05/more_targets
I hope this is enough. If the report is right and we are really talking about a five combat brigade bump in Baghdad, it should be.
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