posted
Primary Navigation HomeU.S.BusinessWorldEntertainmentSportsTechPoliticsScienceHealthTravelMost Popular Secondary Navigation White House Elections Congress U.S. Government World Supreme Court Press Releases Judy Woodruff Search: All News Yahoo! News Only News Photos Video/Audio Advanced
Bush: I won't change strategy in Iraq By DEB RIECHMANN and KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writers 41 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - President Bush conceded Friday that "right now it's tough" for American forces in Iraq, but the White House said he would not change U.S. strategy in the face of pre-election polls that show voters are upset.
ADVERTISEMENT
With Republicans anxious about the potential loss of Congress — and with conditions seemingly deteriorating in Iraq — Bush addressed the question of whether he would alter his policies.
"We are constantly adjusting our tactics so that we achieve the objective, and right now it's tough, it's tough," Bush said in an Associated Press interview.
Bush met with Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, at the White House for a half-hour Friday afternoon. The White House said Abizaid already was in town and Bush asked him over. The president also will consult by video conference on Saturday with Abizaid at U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla., and with Gen. George Casey, who leads the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq, to determine if a change in tactics is necessary to combat the increasing violence.
Despite calls for change, Bush said, "Our goal has not changed. Our goal is a country that can defend, sustain and govern itself, a country that which will serve as an ally in this war. Our tactics are adjusting."
There were fresh signs of Republican doubts about the war. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (news, bio, voting record) of Texas, who holds a seat deemed safe for the GOP, said in a campaign debate Thursday she would have voted against the war had she known ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein possessed no weapons of mass destruction.
Democrats also kept up the pressure on Bush. In a letter to the president, a dozen House and Senate Democratic leaders urged him to bring home some U.S. troops and force the Iraqis to take more responsibility for their security. The Democrats said Bush should do more to pressure Iraqi leaders to disarm militias and find a political solution that would curb violence.
"The steadily mounting sectarian violence, growing insurgency and escalating casualty figures in Iraq are unacceptable and unsustainable," the Democrats said. "We urge you to change course, level with the American people and join with us to develop a policy that will work before the situation in Iraq is irretrievable."
Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said that while Bush might change tactics, he would not change his overall strategy.
"He's not somebody who gets jumpy at polls," Snow said of Bush.
Bush, at a political fundraiser in Washington for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, railed against Democrats who criticize the war. Calling the Democrats the party of "cut and run," Bush said voters need to ask: "Which political party has a strategy for victory in this war on terror?' "
As of Friday, the U.S. combat death toll in Iraq during October stood at 75 — possibly heading for the highest for any month in nearly two years. Now in its fourth year, the war has claimed the lives of at least 2,786 Americans. Approval of Bush's handling of Iraq has dipped to 37 percent among likely voters in the AP-Ipsos poll early this month, down slightly from 41 percent last month.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said the Iraqi government must become less reliant on the United States to handle security. He also said U.S. officials are working with the Iraqis to develop projections on when that might happen.
"It's their country, they're going to have to govern it, they're going to have to provide security for it, and they're going to have to do it sooner rather than later," Rumsfeld said.
"The biggest mistake would be to not pass things over to the Iraqis, create a dependency on their part, instead of developing strength and capacity and competence," he said.
Doubts about the effectiveness of current tactics have risen, and the U.S. military has said its two-month drive to crush insurgent and militia violence in Baghdad has fallen short. Attacks in Baghdad rose by 22 percent in the first three weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, compared with the three previous weeks.
On Friday, the Shiite militia run by the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr briefly seized control of the southern Iraqi city of Amarah in one of the most brazen acts of defiance yet by the country's powerful, unofficial armies. Tom Casey, deputy spokesman at the State Department, said the United States was urging the Iraqis to make sure that security in Amarah was returned to the government.
"The flare-up of violence in Amarah points out that our strategy to quell the violence in that country is failing," said Rep. Ike Skelton (news, bio, voting record) of Missouri, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Email Story IM Story Discuss Printable View RECOMMEND THIS STORY
IP: Logged |
posted
NEWS | OPINIONS | SPORTS | ARTS & LIVING | Discussions | Photos & Video | City Guide | CLASSIFIEDS | JOBS | CARS | REAL ESTATE
Bush Stands Firm on Policies President Defends Strategies for Iraq, North Korea
By Michael Abramowitz Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, October 12, 2006; A01
Despite setbacks on North Korea and Iraq, President Bush vowed yesterday to stick with his policies on both crises, praising Chinese condemnation of North Korea's apparent nuclear test and citing progress in helping the fledgling Iraqi government stand on its own.
Even as he rejected calls to hold bilateral talks with Pyongyang, Bush said during a Rose Garden news conference that diplomacy is beginning to unite the world against North Korea's nuclear efforts. He called it hopeful that China is helping North Korea "understand it's not just the United States speaking to them," and he reassured South Korea and Japan that the United States "reserves all options" to protect its allies in the region against threats from the communist state.
At the same time, Bush addressed the recent doubts expressed by senior Republicans, including Sen. John W. Warner (Va.) and former secretary of state James A. Baker III, about the current U.S. course in Iraq -- which he described as more flexible than critics suggest.
"We're constantly changing tactics to achieve a strategic goal," the president said, adding that "stay the course" is only a partial description of his strategy in Iraq. "My attitude is, 'Don't do what you're doing if it's not working; change,' " said Bush, who met yesterday with the senior U.S. commander in Iraq to review the progress of the war. " 'Stay the course' also means don't leave before the job is done."
The hour-long news conference gave Bush an opportunity to try to regain some control over a dangerous political environment for Republicans just four weeks before midterm elections, in which the GOP majorities in both the House and the Senate face a stiff challenge from Democrats. Until recently, Bush seemed to be having some success in shoring up GOP lawmakers with an effort to make terrorism and the improving economy the centerpieces of the fall campaigns.
But that strategy has been thrown seriously awry by new revelations about the administration's troubled conduct of the Iraq war, and by a burgeoning scandal surrounding the House leadership's handling of allegations of sexual misconduct against Florida Republican Mark Foley, who has resigned. Meanwhile, this week's apparent underground nuclear test by North Korea exposed the White House to new questions about the success of its efforts to keep weapons of mass destruction from the world's most dangerous governments.
Bush received only one question about the Foley episode, which he used to restate his support for House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Hastert's handling of the matter. He expressed confidence that Republicans will keep control of both chambers despite the Foley scandal, saying that the public supports the GOP on what he termed the two big issues of the campaign -- security and the economy. And he took pointed shots at Democratic leaders for not supporting his tax cuts -- criticism that they said misrepresented their interest in cutting taxes for the middle class.
The White House also announced yesterday that the federal budget deficit dropped to $248 billion, a four-year low, which it attributed to tax cuts and other "pro-growth" economic policies. Democrats derided that explanation and said Bush's boast ignored the considerable debt that the federal government has acquired since he was inaugurated in 2001.
Most of the news conference, however, was devoted to North Korea and Iraq, and Bush enthusiastically defended his basic strategy in both crises, offering lengthy answers to most questions with a mixture of feistiness and contemplation.
Answering a question about the North Korean nuclear test, Bush explained his reluctance to engage in direct talks with Pyongyang by saying that the Clinton administration tried such an approach and it did not work. He said that North Korea violated a 1994 agreement in which Pyongyang promised to shut down its nuclear reactor and keep spent nuclear fuel under international supervision, and that the U.S. government promised certain benefits such as providing oil for energy production. Bush's account left out the U.S. government's own role in scuttling that agreement.
"I learned a lesson from that, and decided that the best way to convince Kim Jong Il to change his mind on a nuclear weapons program is to have others send the same message," Bush said at the news conference. He said Pyongyang's defiance of international demands that it give up its nuclear program is a reflection on the North Korean leader, not on any failure by his administration.
"The inability to convince people to move forward speaks volumes about them," Bush said. "It ought to say to all the world that we're dealing with people that, maybe, don't want peace, which in my judgment . . . requires an international response."
The refusal to engage with Pyongyang directly has been condemned by lawmakers in both parties and by diplomats, including U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who urged the United States yesterday to sit down with North Korea.
"From North Korea to Iraq, the American people have seen clearly what it means to 'stay the course' with the president's failed national security policies," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said yesterday. "The president's policies are not making the American people safer. Staying the course won't change that. It's time for a new direction."
On Iraq, Bush was asked about the recent comments of Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who returned from a trip to Iraq last week warning that Iraq is drifting "sideways." Warner said major changes should be considered within a few months if the situation there does not improve.
Bush said he agrees with Warner "completely" that "if the plan isn't working, adjust." But he said the overall strategy in Iraq is sound, even as day-to-day tactics might change. Bush said the upsurge in attacks and casualties is happening because U.S. forces are more aggressively confronting the enemy in Baghdad and elsewhere. "We're on the move," he said. "We're taking action."
Bush said he does not find credible a new report in the Lancet, a British medical journal, which estimates that 655,000 more Iraqis have died since coalition forces arrived than would have died without the invasion. In a comment in the journal, the editors said the study was reviewed by four outside experts, all of whom recommended publication, with one noting the "powerful strength" of the research method. The findings, however, have a large margin of error. The low-end estimate of excess deaths (both civilian and military) is 393,000, while the high-end estimate is 943,000.
Bush disputed the study's numbers but did not supply his own. "I do know," he said, "that a lot of innocent people have died, and that troubles me, and it grieves me."
Staff writer David Brown contributed to this report.
IP: Logged |
posted
Stocktrader2006. US is going down my friend. Even if US nukes the world, you are still going down. Like every other superpower that existed from the ancient history uptill now...
IP: Logged |
posted
Once your US economy completely goes down the crap can, there will be a civil uprising against your inbred half retarted president. And then the doors will be open for a China/Iran/Russia/Venezuela federation to take over the American States. You better go to your local Sams Club and stock up on rations.
IP: Logged |
posted
Oh come on man, you beleive the Bible or the Koran...? There are over 6 billion people on this planet and only the Jews are God's chosen people? Who killed Jesus anyway?
IP: Logged |
posted
Yes, the Jews did decide to have Jesus crucified, rather than Barabus, but that was, and is God's plan for all of us. Jesus may have died on that day, but he rose again and will return to earth at the battle of armegeddon. Yes, the bible says the Jews are God's chosen people but it does not mean you & I are not favorable in God's eyes. I know that I am blessed, and I am sure you are too.
posted
If we survive as a superpower we'll certainly be the exception, not the rule.
quote:Originally posted by Persia: Stocktrader2006. US is going down my friend. Even if US nukes the world, you are still going down. Like every other superpower that existed from the ancient history uptill now...
-------------------- "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
quote:Originally posted by stocktrader2006: He needs to nuke them and nuke them now! And North Korea, Iran, Venezuala, & Afghanistan. Oh, and Syria too!
how kind of you
quote:Originally posted by stocktrader2006: I agree, Scripture says so.
posted
Member Rated: posted 23-10-2006 16:46 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First of all.
(1) Christ was not an American he was cocerned with the kingdom of god.
If you are a christian and a believer you would have to ask your self why would god be concerned about America over any other country.
(2) Our past is certainly not the path a real Christian would have taken.
The policy of our Government was to make sure slavery stayed as an economic institution and when we needed there land we took it from the native americans even if that method ment genocide. And we used the support of established religion to help justify this.
(3) And if that is not enough the people that stole and abused everything there turn in the barrel came when the railroads expanded, and the new industrialist need there land for natural resourses. If they could not buy it they just killed people and took it. And when they needed people to work they just brought in new slaves Chinese and the Irish. That they worked to death
I could give anybody an in depth study and paper on this but that would not be my reason here. If this sounds Christ like to you you need a check up from the neck up.
Like our loyal presidents followers a few slogans and some jargon are all they use to say I am Christian and I am right. You follow me. I long for the old days ect,ect and ect.
Our Governemnt from the begging has always represented the ruling blok of capitol at the time and protected it. If you want to praise people praise all the good people in our past Christian and other that fought to give us rights,like voting womens sufferage,the abolishinist movement and the labor movment that nobody today has the guts to start again and that includes the unions who people gave there lives up so unions could be legal. Look at the milk toasts that run unions today.
IP: Logged |
posted
Nirvana why are you always so concerned about our economy going in the crap can? Look at the economic midget that you live in
At least if we went down the whole world would be in a mess for a while if your little strip mall went under who would care its just a sink hole any way
IP: Logged |
posted
Concerned? Not concerned. The more dismal the US economy becomes, the more money goes directly into my pockets. The weaker your fiat dollar becomes the more stronger my personal portfolio becomes.
Every month I take a great amount of money from the hands of your banks and your citizens. And then I hedge my assets by coverting your worthless money into gold bullion. Because you are right, the world economy will collapse. Even the mighty Euro will collapse one day . So I am playing your demise against you to guarantee myself zero financial stress.
It is almost sad that your soon to be worthless money can purchase a lifetime value currency like gold.
While your maniac president keeps lieing to you about the "strength" of your economy, people like me are lining up like wolves cornering their prey. The debt your country owes to other nations compared to what you are owed by other nations is staggering. Your president will not tell you about this...
Your countries fiscal deficit is large enough that you should be on your knees praying to God for help. Your Fed is lieing to you about your out of control inflation. Your citizens are so deeply in debt and mortgaged it is laughable. Do you know what debt and mortgage means in Latin? Slavery and death. This is what is on your future Americans.
Your lazy worthless Republican and Democrat congress has made a mockery of the free markey, democracy political system. The world is laughing and Bush continues to fiddle as Rome burns and burns and burns...
I pray that your ego and arrogance does not prevent you Americans from working to deal with your deathly issues. But if you are too arrogant to admit your problems and understand what smart people like me understand, I will continue to act as the pillaging vulture.
IP: Logged |
posted
The US dollar is still the world's base currency. But this is quickly changing and soon the world's base currency will be the Euro. Your government is not protecting the value of your currency because they can't. Your president may be able to fool you but Bush is not fooling the rest of the world. We are lauging too hard to be fooled at this point.
I ask this: is there at least one American on this website that understands what I am saying about your economy and your dollar and what is happening to your country?
IP: Logged |
posted
Your lazy worthless Republican and Democrat congress has made a mockery of the free markey, democracy political system. The world is laughing and Bush continues to fiddle as Rome burns and burns and burns...
I pray that your ego and arrogance does not prevent you Americans from working to deal with your deathly issues. But if you are too arrogant to admit your problems and understand what smart people like me understand, I will continue to act as the pillaging vulture.
you are hilarious...
you'll never be "above" US... if we go down? you bozo's will be even lower than you are now....
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
IP: Logged |
posted
You think I am proclaiming Dutch prominence over the U.S.? Now that is truly hilarious. I am not proclaiming Dutch soverernty over the U.S. or any other country. This is not a cock fight, sir.
You are clearly one of the Americans who just does not get it. If you want to get it, you let me know. Get what you ask? Well if you are not willing to ask me, go ask the Chinese because they clearly get it.
And you would do well to start learning Chinese as you are quickly becoming wards of the Chinese.
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Nirvana: I pray that your ego and arrogance does not prevent you Americans from working to deal with your deathly issues. But if you are too arrogant to admit your problems and understand what smart people like me understand, I will continue to act as the pillaging vulture.
your entire passage sounds pretty egotesticle (spelling is a joke BTW) and arrogant to me...
now go count your gold and smoke a doob...
IP: Logged |
posted
You can launch insults and worthless claims. I am still waiting for a real intelligent person to prove what I am saying is wrong. To actually debate reality. If your only defense is to launch insults what hope do you have?
IP: Logged |
posted
I am not going to get into this, but really, were you not throwing insults first? Obviously you have something against americans, and that is fine. But don't come to a US based chat room and stir up sh!t and not expect to get any on you...
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Nirvana: You can launch insults and worthless claims. I am still waiting for a real intelligent person to prove what I am saying is wrong. To actually debate reality. If your only defense is to launch insults what hope do you have?
insults? that's all you have done here ...
you should be careful... some people don't think it's polite to insult your host..
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
IP: Logged |
posted
If you want to ban me and revoke my membership so be it. But what is this solving? I am making valid and reality based points that I am hoping some free thinking Americans will engage in debate.
I am also making points from a perspective of a foreigner and outsider, points you will not hear on your TV shows and news shows.
When the insults can stop maybe the real debate of the real issues can begin. Or maybe you just want to ban me because it is easier to silence those who want to talk about real issues than actually string together two brain cells to engage intellectual conversation.
But you cannot honestly say that the points I am making are unvalid and off base. This is the reality of your country that I speak of and your reality will affect the world.
IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Nirvana: If you want to ban me and revoke my membership so be it. But what is this solving? I am making valid and reality based points that I am hoping some free thinking Americans will engage in debate.
I am also making points from a perspective of a foreigner and outsider, points you will not hear on your TV shows and news shows.
When the insults can stop maybe the real debate of the real issues can begin. Or maybe you just want to ban me because it is easier to silence those who want to talk about real issues than actually string together two brain cells to engage intellectual conversation.
But you cannot honestly say that the points I am making are unvalid and off base. This is the reality of your country that I speak of and your reality will affect the world.
in case you haven't noticed? Americans are working at it.. you are the one showing a lack of civility and tossing insults about...
you aren't offering any solutinons because you aren't in a postition to...
and i wasn't refering to allstocks as being your host...
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
IP: Logged |
posted
Nirvanna quit acting like a nerd you are not important enough to ban.
Post all you want its a free country HA,HA.
Its nice to meet a European that does not contain his emotions of dislike twards us.
To bad you folks don't have an Army that can back up your mouth just yell for the US and call us a friend like you did last time. And you will kiss our asses for another 20 or 30 years. We did not take any crap for our first 100 years when we were a third rate military so why would we take any now.
A lot of people have made the mistake of thinking that we were inferior and they paid the price trying to bully us if he was still around ask Hitler. He said our industry was only good for making refrigerators. Our colonial masters thought we were dirty and stupid and there armies beat the cream of Europe in battle. But in the long haul a bunch of dirty and dumb farmers beat them at there own game.
We know what we are and we will be fine keep hoping for our fall you just may wind up getting a tiger by the tail
IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
