Bush considers expansion of up to 20,000 troops

[Player-X]

Bush considers expansion of up to 20,000 troops
WASHINGTON — President Bush is reviewing a plan that would send up to 20,000 more U.S. troops to Iraq, a decision that would trigger heavy opposition from Democratic congressional leaders.
The White House plans a presidential address no sooner than Wednesday to discuss the proposal, which includes new programs for jobs, reconstruction and political assistance in Iraq, according to two administration officials who have been briefed on it.
The officials, who spoke on the condition they not be identified because the president has not made final decisions, said increases would come in phases that could add up to 20,000 troops during the next several months. It is unclear how long the additional troops would stay.

The plan includes up to $1 billion in economic assistance, such as job creation and reconstruction projects, the officials said. It also calls for political assistance, including help for human rights groups and political organizations, in an effort to promote peaceful reconciliation among warring Shiite and Sunni factions.
Previous reconstruction efforts have faced serious problems and controversies, including repeated power outages and the awarding of no-bid contracts to U.S. companies.
Elements of the plan emerged over the weekend in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
The Times reported today that the new policy will set out a series of benchmarks that the Iraqi government will be expected to meet to try to ease sectarian tensions and stabilize the country politically and economically.
The newspaper, quoting unidentified senior administration officials, said these goals would include measures to bring more Sunnis into the political process, finalize a plan for distributing oil revenue and ease the government's policy toward former Baath Party members.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has announced plans to increase the number of local forces in Baghdad.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., appearing on CBS' Face the Nation, said Sunday that Bush would have to justify any troop hike to the new Congress. "This is new for him because up until now, the Republican Congress has given him a blank check with no oversight, no standards, no conditions," she said.
On Friday, Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., sent a letter to Bush opposing any U.S. troop increase. The letter said, "Surging forces is a strategy that you have already tried and that has already failed."
White House spokesman Alex Conant noted that Pelosi said she wants to succeed in Iraq, and "we're interested in any ideas that lead to success."
"The president looks forward to addressing the American people next week on the way forward in Iraq," Conant said.
In developing a new Iraq policy, the administration has changed the military leadership in Iraq.
Gen. David Petraeus, a supporter of U.S. force increases in Iraq, will head the multinational force there. He'll replace Gen. George Casey, who expressed skepticism over whether an increased U.S. military presence would be productive, and is being promoted to Army chief of staff.
Bush has also accepted the Pentagon's recommendation that Adm. William Fallon replace the retiring John Abizaid as head of the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq.
The administration is stepping up diplomatic efforts in the region. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to the Middle East soon to discuss negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. Bush has been skeptical, however, about direct talks with Syria and Iran.
Bush would have support for a troop surge from at least two prominent senators, John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. Both said a troop increase would help quell sectarian violence.

I don't think adding more troops is going to help ease the tensions, it might worsen things especially knowing how impulsive the Iraqi tribes are, both sides might see it as the US helping the other, I still stand on the Idea that rearranging the Middle East starting with Iraq based on ethnicity would work a lot better.

[RZetlin]

I am still waiting for Bush's televised speech this Tuesday or Wednesday on this matter.

But it is said that, the more things change the more they stay the same.

[shafeen]

more troops?? hmm another step by mr bush to control the civil war in iraq

[Nevermore]

your mom conciders 20,000 troops

[Boltzmann]

Go Bush!

[jonc2006]

bush can lick my big sweaty balls.

[Typhoon 01]

I read, more casualties.

[Master Chief]

I'm sure the Democrats in Congress will fight him on this. Still, it is good to see that the man is not trying to cater his every move to agree with the Democrats.

[Player-X]

It's also good to see that congress will finally use their power to balance against his rather than blindly helping him.

[Seta-San]

lets keep in mind that alot of the troop increase is people who are already there being held over and people who were scheduled to go a little little later are shipping earlier.

[Player-X]

I don't think the guys who are being held there appreciate it and that would be bad for morale for the rest of the troops who are worried about being held there.

[Boltzmann]

You're wrong, Player-X.

Rule #1 when arguing with Seta-San: Bush is never wrong

[darth sephiroth]

Originally Posted by shafeen

more troops?? hmm another step by mr bush to control the civil war in iraq

or more like, another step to promote the civil war...

[Player-X]

Originally Posted by Boltzmann

You're wrong, Player-X.

Rule #1 when arguing with Seta-San: Bush is never wrong

Rule #2 Boltzmann will always end up arguing with him

[shafeen]

rule no 3:: player x will write 1000+ words post if a debate goes off

[Player-X]

Rule #4 If a debate is expected it will always be preceded by spamming about the expected debate.

[darth sephiroth]

Rule #5 any Dart Sephiroth's in the discussion will probably agree with the panic button

[Boltzmann]

Originally Posted by Player-X

Rule #2 Boltzmann will always end up arguing with him

Exception to rule #2: Boltzmann won't argue with him if he's not in the mood for anti-liberal rants.

Rule #6: The thread will be closed before it reaches page 3.

[General Plot]

Originally Posted by Boltzmann

Rule #6: The thread will be closed before it reaches page 3.

Rule #7: If the current trend continues, Rule #6 is absolutely true. Seriously, let's not spam up the discussion people. Either keep it on topic or I'll have to close this.

[leo9986754]

Man, I still remember when they said they would withdraw US troops out of Iraq. Bush cant run ****. He cant even run SimCity, how can he run our country.