As Iraq Situation Varies, Bush Sticks With Encouraging Words
By Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post
RENO, Nev., Aug. 28 -- A year ago, President Bush came before the American Legion convention and assured his audience of veterans that the early results of a plan to strengthen security in Baghdad were "encouraging." Within a few months, U.S. officials were acknowledging that the plan had collapsed and sectarian violence in Iraq was veering out of control.
Bush came before the same group Tuesday morning here and offered another upbeat message about the U.S. campaign to bring security to the country. "Our new strategy is showing results in terms of security," he said. "Our forces are in the fight all over Iraq."
On the eve of a critical administration assessment next month of military and political progress in Iraq, Bush is stepping up his case for keeping additional U.S. forces in the country. However, Democrats and Iraq experts say that Bush's proposals will face a steep hurdle because many of his predictions of success have not materialized.
Even among some in the largely sympathetic crowd here, worries have emerged over Bush's enduring optimism.
"His credibility went way down" after past predictions fell short, said Dave Rehbein, a Vietnam War-era veteran attending the convention. But Rehbein, from Ames, Iowa, took comfort in the fact that congressional Democrats and others who have recently visited Iraq are returning with more favorable views.
(Continued here.)
Washington Post
RENO, Nev., Aug. 28 -- A year ago, President Bush came before the American Legion convention and assured his audience of veterans that the early results of a plan to strengthen security in Baghdad were "encouraging." Within a few months, U.S. officials were acknowledging that the plan had collapsed and sectarian violence in Iraq was veering out of control.
Bush came before the same group Tuesday morning here and offered another upbeat message about the U.S. campaign to bring security to the country. "Our new strategy is showing results in terms of security," he said. "Our forces are in the fight all over Iraq."
On the eve of a critical administration assessment next month of military and political progress in Iraq, Bush is stepping up his case for keeping additional U.S. forces in the country. However, Democrats and Iraq experts say that Bush's proposals will face a steep hurdle because many of his predictions of success have not materialized.
Even among some in the largely sympathetic crowd here, worries have emerged over Bush's enduring optimism.
"His credibility went way down" after past predictions fell short, said Dave Rehbein, a Vietnam War-era veteran attending the convention. But Rehbein, from Ames, Iowa, took comfort in the fact that congressional Democrats and others who have recently visited Iraq are returning with more favorable views.
(Continued here.)
Powered by Blogger
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home