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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Carried live online by: C-span
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
FNC reporting Gates plans to grow/call the number of active duty troops tomorrow
might be a good counter play, maybe some here can register at DU and fan the flames for that.
Sec. of Defense Gates will announce tomorrow morning that he has a plan to increase the Army and Marine troops.
Also plans to speed up the deployment of new Army and Marine troops to Iraq.
Hey..Sec Dfense Gates is going to increase army and Marines!!!!!!
He looked tired. I think you heard the weariness in him. He needs our prayers more than ever.
Though I don't agree with him, this guy is one smooth talking operator and holds his own...Edwards followed and sounds dull and boring after BO..
Hillary should be afraid..
sw
Yes, Iraq needs some Republican Guard units as it were, who are effective and movtivated. They need a lot of those professional Sunni officers back in the saddle. I doubt such units exist, or are likely to exist, but yes, we must hope.
Presser just ended .. said it's about time that the President tells the Iraqi PM to take a stand
&&&&&
I guess Turban did not hear the news that President Bush was on the phone with PM Maliki for an hour and forty minutes last week. I doubt if they were trading recipes or golf scores.
They do? What about some of their religious leaders? What about the Sunni? What about the Shites?
His delivery was muted, but his words were not. Probably more shock and awe ahead than anyone suspects tonight.
Yes, I give him points on his support on the WOT
From an AP article on FR now:
Iraq's prime minister has told Shiite militiamen to surrender their arms or face an all-out assault by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces, senior Iraqi officials said Wednesday, as President Bush said he will commit an additional 21,500 American combat troops to the war. Under pressure from the U.S., Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has agreed to crack down on fighters controlled by his most powerful political ally, Muqtada al-Sadr, a radical Shiite cleric, according to officials. Previously, al-Maliki had resisted the move. "Prime Minister al-Maliki has told everyone that there will be no escape from attack," said a senior Shiite legislator.
Breaking on FNC: Tomorrow morning, Defense Secretary Gates will announce a significant increase in the end strength of the U.S. Army and Marines. Pretty good idea.
Huh?
I travel a lot myself and I see few passengers watching CNN in the airports :)
I actually agree with McCain this time!
YOU BET WE DO!!
I agree. Historic opportunities have been missed the last three years because after the race to Baghdad we became tentative and cautious and pulled our punches rather than keep the momentum rolling. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, even Iran, all would look very different today if we had had the courage to take the tide of the affairs of men at the flood.
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