Bush Speaks Out...Finally

Bush Plans to Take on Iraq War Critics
By TOM RAUM
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush is stepping up his defense of his Iraq policy as he faces declining public support for the war and a crucial test in Iraq with the Oct. 15 constitutional referendum.

Aides said Bush would take on war critics directly in a speech on Iraq and the broader war on terrorism on Thursday before the National Endowment for Democracy.

Bush got briefed Wednesday on Iraq by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Gen. David Petraeus and said he was pleased with the progress in the training of Iraqi troops.

"The Iraqis are showing more and more capability of taking the fight to the enemy," the president told reporters. "As they become more capable, we will be able to bring folks home."

He did not offer a timetable.

Bush also said he expected insurgents to try to derail next week's vote on a new constitution.

"We fully understand they intend to disrupt the constitutional process, or will try to do so, as well as stop the progress of democracy," Bush said. "Part of the way the Pentagon and the folks on the ground are going to deal with it is to stay on the offense, and that's what's taking place."

Senate Democrats assailed the administration's strategy in Iraq and prodded the president to change it. "We will not accept staying the course," said Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

In a letter to Bush, Senate Democrats said continuing along the same path in Iraq "could lead to a full blown civil war."

"He has to tell the American people what the plan is," said Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del.

It's about time for the administration to fight back! They have been far too relaxed about allowing the idiots on the Left like Joe (the Plagiarizer) Biden to lash out without any response. The American need to know the truth, and it is obvious that they cannot rely on the Left-wing MSM for that.

Full Story: Bush On Iraq

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