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 ...
However, I'm waiting for a Republican, any Republican to call out this POS Durbin for what he said about our troops. And also to call out the RATS for putting him out there as a spokesman tonight. Good thing I like the sound of crickets chirping.
Arlen Specter does not count as a cross over.
Olympia "the xazi" (greek for fool) Snow does not count as a cross over.
Even Trent Lott does not count as a cross over.
LOL!
"I use to be a Republican, but..."
Do you think he got the list from this thread?
Agreed. McCain, whatever his many other faults, is solid in the war.
His only flaw is the matter of torture - but I give him a pass on that one, simply because I figure that it relates to the fact that he was regularly tortrued for half a decade.
He's calm and resolute and I like him too.
Great idea. Make 'em put up or shut up.
WH has been emailed by me!
Heh, heh, heh...you dog you. ;-)
If Baghdad doesn't shape up, build a new capital in a more salutary location.
Oh yes, it's all about the delivery of the speech, not the substance! Gesh
Hiya, onyx! Thought it was a great speech. Let's win this fight. God bless America, God bless our President, and God bless our troops.
He sure has gone to the dark side. Knew something was up when our two Senators didn't show up for the dinner.
Should have walked out on his speech to an OK GOP banquet when he disgusted me but the people that I was sitting with said to not do that because it wouldn't be nice. Dissing my President sure wasn't nice and if I had it to do over again, I would have walked.
That's for sure. Don't hold your breath. The spinelessness of the Republicans is breathtaking.
Gordon Smith coming out against the speech.
LOL - while our troops are cleaning up Baghdad, maybe they can do something about that enemy headquarters there at the Palestione Hotel.
Indeed.
I turned him off when I heard him say --Bush just told us what we already knew, that Iraq is a failure...
PIG!
It's about the same.
Fox: Gates to announce "growing" the military in the morning at 8:30.
That ought to make the Dems' heads explode.
" He's hitting a home run. I love it."
I think this was the best speech I have ever heard President Bush deliver.
It wasn't flowery and full of soaring rhetoric, but,a long overdue tutorial on exactly what Iraq is all about.
Why it's important, who we are fighting, how we are fighting ,how important Iraq is to the WOT, etc.
Probably should have been given years ago.
Durbin looked foolish and typically Democrat- he blended their cut and run philosophy with health care plans for Iraqis.
No they won't actually come out and say it because...they won't admit it...but the real majority of this country still want us to win over there...only the push poll majority they create for their nightly news want us to lose.
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.