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

[Illinois Farmer 1]

Southeast 100 miles from St. Louis

[eleni121]

Thanks for putting this up and we support the president 100%.

Our military is the most heroic fighting force ever assembled by a free nation.

[LdSentinal]

Time for the idiot Freepers to complain about the president's tie.

[STARWISE]

The speech was released to the media earlier.

[TomGuy]

[onyx]

OK!

To: A Citizen Reporter; All
Thus far, we have

Brownback;
Coleman;
Warner;
Snow;
Collins;
Hagel;


and maybe

Voinovich




Voinovich wouldn't suprise me.... let's put him under "maybe"



402 posted on 01/10/2007 7:56:27 PM CST by onyx (DONATE NOW! -- It takes DONATIONS to keep FR running!!)

[Miss Didi]

Darn, the first line of the speech was cut off cuz Sheppie was blabbering.

[STARWISE]

Amen!


Sound cutting out or my TV?

[Miss Marple]

President outlining what happened to cause the sectarian violence. Says where mistakes were made, the responsibility rests with him.

Sound on my TV keeps going bad.

[mystery-ak]

Im in cental Il...outside Decatur...I have relatives and from Belleville.

[Bahbah]

Good begining to the speech. Forget about the ISG.

[section9]

Read the "as delivered" speech on Drudge.

Sounds good, especially bringing the D's on board.

Watch them run like scalded dogs.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[John W]

Same here.

[Severa]

No, it was cutting out on my TV too.

[onyx]

FNC is cutting in and out on my TV -- a couple of blurps.

[WalterSkinner]

..keep the diplomats out of it, Mr. President...

[paulat]

Why is perky Katie previewing the speech and telling us poll results

Why on earth are you watching perky Katie?????

[freema]

Locked and Loaded, Mr. President!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spit it out!!!