Is it not time for a new strategy? And, if not, why not?Bush: You know, you've covered the Pentagon. You know that the Pentagon is constantly adjusting tactics because they have the flexibility from the White House to do so.
Q: I'm talking about strategy.
Bush: The strategy is to help the Iraqi people achieve their objectives and their dreams, which is a democratic society. That's the strategy. The tactics __ now, either you say, yes, it's important that we stay there and get it done; or we leave. We're not leaving so long as I'm the president. That would be a huge mistake.
It would send an unbelievably terrible signal to reformers across the region. It would say we've abandoned our desire to change the conditions that create terror. It would give the terrorists a safe haven from which to launch attacks. It would embolden Iran. It would embolden extremists.
No, we're not leaving.
Here's John Fund in the WSJ, who defends the president, but suggests he redouble his efforts to reach out to "Democrats and independents of good will". Having viewed the overwhelming hostility of the Washington press corps to the president and on the war, and the shabby treatment meted out to by his own party to Democrat Sen. Joe Lieberman for supporting Bush on the war, I can't imagine the president will have much success in Washington reaching out.
Today's press conference was a good idea, to go directly to the American people. More of us see this unfiltered, on TV and on the net, and more of us understand. Note to sunshine patriots, we're not leaving.
UPDATE: And having read the full text again, all the way to the end, I think more of the press corps has a grudging respect for the president, and for what we are facing. Israel's being attacked by Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran (the nuke-seeking terror state) has brought things to a head. It's amazing how much wit and fortitude the president displays.
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