Bush Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Troops, Iraq, Terror War

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2006 -- America stands committed to its military members, to the Iraqis and to victory in the war on terror, President Bush said today during a White House news conference following yesterday’s elections and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s resignation today.

“Amid this time of change, I have a message for those on the front lines,” Bush said.

“To our enemies, do not be joyful. Do not confuse the workings of our democracy with a lack of will,” he said. “Our nation is committed to bringing you to justice. Liberty and democracy are the source of America's strength, and liberty and democracy will lift up the hopes and desires of those you are trying to destroy.”

The president also offered assurances to the Iraqi people that the United States won’t abandon them. “To the people of Iraq: Do not be fearful,” he said. “As you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it.”

The president also expressed reassurance to members of the armed forces. “To our brave men and women in uniform: Don't be doubtful,” he said. “America will always support you. Our nation is blessed to have men and women who volunteer to serve and are willing to risk their own lives for the safety of our fellow citizens.”

Bush acknowledged that yesterday’s election results send a message that many people would like to speed up the timetable for bringing the troops home. “I'd like our troops to come home too, but I want them to come home with victory,” he said.

He defined that victory as an Iraq “that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself” and said he believes that the American people agree. “I recognize that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made there,” he said. “Yet, I also believe most Americans and leaders here in Washington from both political parties understand we cannot accept defeat.

“And so I'm committed to victory,” he said. “I'm committed to helping this country so that we can come home.”

Yesterday’s election “has changed many things in Washington, but it has not changed my fundamental responsibility, and that is to protect the American people from attack,” Bush said. “As the commander in chief, I take these responsibilities seriously. And so does the man who served this nation honorably for almost six years as our secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld.”

Bush vowed to work with both parties in Congress to ensure the best path forward for the country. He expressed optimism that although people’s approaches may differ, they share a basic goal that transcends party lines. “No leader in Washington is going to walk away from protecting the country,” he said.

He called the war on terror “a tough fight,” but assured the American people, “we’re going to win that fight.”

[AdamSelene235]

Massive Sunni genocide in 5.....4.....3.....2.....1.....

[big'ol_freeper]

[Smogger]

To our enemies, do not be joyful. Do not confuse the workings of our democracy with a lack of will

Yeah Riiiiight! OBL and friends know damn well that the American electorate blinked.

[LS]

Good luck with that first military budget.

The Dems once just HOPED for defeat. Now they can guarantee it with their votes to obstruct, impede, and de-fund the war.

[himno hero]

de fund the war? Does this mean a great big cloak around fortress america?

[LS]

Why the hell are you guys on me about this? I'm not the one planning to de-fund the war. I'm just telling you what I think THEY will do. Please, give me evidence the Dems will act like Americans. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

[PzLdr]

I believe the political term for what "W" said is, "P*ssing up a rope"

[brushcop]

You're not the only one on that point. Matter of fact, Rush said it today also. That, and impeachment proceedings will be instigated, what can they lose? They own the country now. I'm not a defeatist in the least but I damned sure am realistic and I'm not fooled by these Socialist/Marxist idiots. They haven't hidden that aspect whatsoever. Someone please explain where all the conservative power will be coming from.

[Justa]

Err, I'm in Baghdad and about 20 min.s ago (3:05am local) I heard a loud and sharp metallic bang come up from the ground. My trailer is of heavy, metal construction and picks up sounds from IEDs in Baghdad as well as nearby rocket and mortar impacts. This detonation was different, it was sharp and metallic.

[Twinkie]

I think Patrick Moynihan epitomized the love of party over love of country when he gave Hillary Clinton a leg up for his seat in the Senate, knowing full-well that it would be just be a stepping stone for her and Slick Willie to inhabit the White House again; after he himself declared Slick degenerate and the obvious possessor of a disorder. . "defining deviancy down" he called it I think, and the proceeded to be the biggest "definer of deviancy down" in recent memory.

[LS]

I'm not following. Are you talking about a real explosion or is this a metaphor?

[John Lenin]

If Bush signs an amnesty bill I will be pulling for his impeachment also.

[Justa]

Not a metaphore. It was an explosion and it was sharp enough to hurt my ears.

[LS]

Are you ok otherwise? You wouldn't be one of my ROTC students, would you?

[mutley]

Oh my! Please keep us informed. That's mysterious. I would think you would be familiar with all the different bangs.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Whistling past the graveyard.

"Alas Babylon" ain't just a novel anymore, it's a script for a reality show coming to a town near YOU!

[Justa]

Oh, I'm quite well. There was no accompanying ground explosion such as a boom or karummpph as with other detonations I've hear. And besides Iraq I lived next to an artillery range for 9 years. It was not a boom but a sharp, metallic "bang". It didn't sound local and seemed to come up from the ground.

I'm no longer in the military, I'm over here as a contractor.

[Huevos Rancheros]

Bobby Gates' nickname at the CIA was The Little Prick. He is a pompous, incompetent, squishy witless fool. He is the total tool of the Jimmy Baker-Brent Scowcroft crowd that so horribly ran foreign affairs for GW's daddy. To put such a man in charge of the Pentagon - the one bastion of pro-Americanism remaining in our foreign policy establishment - is an unmitigated catastrophe.
Jack Wheeler