Bush stands firm over Iraq policy

WASHINGTON – President George W Bush concedes he is not popular, and that the war in Iraq is not either.

Yes, progress is overdue and patience is all but gone. Yet none of that changes his view that more US troops are needed to win in Iraq.”I’m not going to try to be popular and change principles to do so,” Bush said in a television interview that aired Sunday night.Digging in for confrontation, Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney say they will not budge from sending more US troops to Iraq no matter how much Congress opposes it.”I fully understand they could try to stop me,” Bush, a Republican, said of the Democrat-run Congress.”But I’ve made my decision, and we’re going forward.”As the president talked tough, lawmakers pledged to explore ways to stop him.”We need to look at what options we have available to constrain the president,” said Democratic Senator Barack Obama, a possible White House candidate in 2008.Democrats remain wary, though, of appearing as if they do not support American troops.A defiant Cheney, meanwhile, said Democrats offered criticism without credible alternatives.He pointedly reminded lawmakers that Bush is commander in chief.”You cannot run a war by committee,” the vice president said of congressional input.The aggressive White House reaction came as the House and Senate prepare to vote on resolutions opposing additional US troops in Iraq.As the White House watched even some Republican support peel away from the war plan, it went all-out to regain some footing.Bush gave his first interview from Camp David, airing Sunday night on CBS’ 60 Minutes.It was his second opportunity in five days to explain on prime-time television why he thinks adding US troops can help stabilise Iraq and hasten the time when American soldiers can come home.He addressed the nation from the White House last Wednesday evening.”Some of my buddies in Texas say, ‘You know, let them fight it out.What business is it of ours?”‘ Bush said of Iraqis.”And that’s a temptation that I know a lot of people feel.But if we do not succeed in Iraq, we will leave behind a Middle East which will endanger America.”Yet when asked if he owes the Iraqi people an apology for botching the management of the war, he said, “Not at all.””We liberated that country from a tyrant,” Bush said.”I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude.”Bush announced last week he will send 21,500 more troops to Iraq to halt violence, mainly around Baghdad, as an essential step toward stabilising the country’s government.Democrats in Congress – along with some Republicans – were unimpressed and frustrated.Beyond promising to go on record in opposition to the president’s approach, the Democratic leadership is considering whether, and how, to cut off funding for additional troops.Nampa-APYet none of that changes his view that more US troops are needed to win in Iraq.”I’m not going to try to be popular and change principles to do so,” Bush said in a television interview that aired Sunday night.Digging in for confrontation, Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney say they will not budge from sending more US troops to Iraq no matter how much Congress opposes it.”I fully understand they could try to stop me,” Bush, a Republican, said of the Democrat-run Congress.”But I’ve made my decision, and we’re going forward.”As the president talked tough, lawmakers pledged to explore ways to stop him.”We need to look at what options we have available to constrain the president,” said Democratic Senator Barack Obama, a possible White House candidate in 2008.Democrats remain wary, though, of appearing as if they do not support American troops.A defiant Cheney, meanwhile, said Democrats offered criticism without credible alternatives.He pointedly reminded lawmakers that Bush is commander in chief.”You cannot run a war by committee,” the vice president said of congressional input.The aggressive White House reaction came as the House and Senate prepare to vote on resolutions opposing additional US troops in Iraq.As the White House watched even some Republican support peel away from the war plan, it went all-out to regain some footing.Bush gave his first interview from Camp David, airing Sunday night on CBS’ 60 Minutes.It was his second opportunity in five days to explain on prime-time television why he thinks adding US troops can help stabilise Iraq and hasten the time when American soldiers can come home.He addressed the nation from the White House last Wednesday evening.”Some of my buddies in Texas say, ‘You know, let them fight it out.What business is it of ours?”‘ Bush said of Iraqis.”And that’s a temptation that I know a lot of people feel.But if we do not succeed in Iraq, we will leave behind a Middle East which will endanger America.”Yet when asked if he owes the Iraqi people an apology for botching the management of the war, he said, “Not at all.””We liberated that country from a tyrant,” Bush said.”I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude.”Bush announced last week he will send 21,500 more troops to Iraq to halt violence, mainly around Baghdad, as an essential step toward stabilising the country’s government.Democrats in Congress – along with some Republicans – were unimpressed and frustrated.Beyond promising to go on record in opposition to the president’s approach, the Democratic leadership is considering whether, and how, to cut off funding for additional troops.Nampa-AP