Bush: Defeating Extremists is ‘Calling of Our Time’

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2006 -- Success in Iraq will help protect the United States in the long run, President Bush said here today.

“This is really the calling of our time -- that is, to defeat these extremists and radicals, and Iraq is a component part, an important part, of laying the foundation for peace,” Bush said following a meeting with State Department officials about the way forward in Iraq.

Bush, who received the Iraq Study Group report Dec. 6, said all advice is helpful when crafting a new way forward in Iraq. Tomorrow, Bush will participate in a video conference with senior military commanders and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and host Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi in the White House. On Dec. 13, he meets with officials at the Pentagon.

Bush said he looks forward to continuing his deliberations and including the State Department and Defense Department in the discussions, “so that when I do speak to the American people, they will know that I’ve listened to all aspects of government, and that the way forward is the way forward to achieve our objective -- to succeed in Iraq.”

Bush said he appreciates the Iraqi government taking the lead in its region and that most of the surrounding countries understand that a democratic Iraq is in their interests. The U.S. needs to focus efforts to help the Iraqis succeed, he said.

“Success is a country that governs, defends itself, that is a free society that serves as an ally in this war on terror,” he said.

Success in Iraq is vital because that country is a central component of defeating the extremists who want to establish a safe haven in the Middle East from which to attack the U.S. and other countries and spread totalitarian ideology, Bush said.

Related Sites:
Transcript of President Bush’s Remarks

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

[VastRWCon]

President Bush is right.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Yes, but Hitlery would have people think that the extremists are you and I!

[Poincare]

So why didn't Bush take out Iran's and Syria's ability to kill our personnel in Iraq when the getting was good?

[My2Cents]

My thought too.

[Mr. Mojo]

“This is really the calling of our time -- that is, to defeat these extremists and radicals..."

And the nations that sponsor them (Iraq, Syria). ....despite what James Baker & his band of idiots have to say about it.

[kcar]

Good question. And why didn't he ally himself with Israel to defeat Hezbullah this summer? And why let millions of illegals invade the southern border? (US not Iraq). And why let Bolton go without threatening not another stinking dime for the UN?

[Mr. Mojo]

Iraq, Syria

oops, that's Iran and Syria.

[HitmanLV]

President Bush is right.

Being right isn't enough. He bungled the message so poorly that most people just don't take him seriously. It's a severe leadership problem - he has no leadership, and has lost the confidence of enough Americans that being right doesn't add up to much.

A shame.

[Capt. Tom]

“This is really the calling of our time -- that is, to defeat these extremists and radicals,

Extremists and radicals? Is Bush still that clueless, or is he using taqiyya on the Muslims? - tom

[Mr Ramsbotham]

That's why we're capitulating.

[SandRat]

hehehehehe... just had a nasty thought.... wonder if someone could morph the faces of the characters on the ISG onto the group shot from "Robin-Hood Men in Tights?"

[MEG33]

BUMP!

[tomnbeverly]

He would have if the stay at home conservatives so worried about putting up a wall on the Mexican Border that they refused to see the forest through the trees would have went out and voted.... In 06 Bush needed a Mandate to press in Iraq.. Now the Democrats feel vindicated and will press for retreat at the peril of our country... Please Mr. President stand strong. One day the plaque on Rushmore may read

"Because of his unwavering devotion to spreading the idea of Freedom and Liberty throughout the world in the face of harsh political adversity both foreign and domestic. He has successfully laid a foundation for Peace in the world and Peace toward the United States of America this foundation is as solid as the granite from which his likeness will be graven."

[VastRWCon]

If, big IF, he had the support of the MSM from the begining of this war it would have been over in weeks. The MSM is to blame for this whole mess. President Bush was right on day 1 and is right again today.

The MSM SUCKS and is the USA's BIGEST PROBLEM.

[uncbob]

Yeah it is and I am conflicted as to given our MSM whether he could have gotten it out or not

But he could have made a better effort

For one thing he needed a Tony Snow from Day ONE

And he needed to veto CFR

[jdsteel]

I agree that Bush was, and is right. I also agree that after the hot war ousting Saddaam he let up the pressure way too soon. Sadr should've been dead a long time ago. We should have followed up Syria & Iran's meddling with extreme prejudice right away. And we need a large, glowing hole in Tehran YESTERDAY. And he didn't because....the MSM and Dems would crucify him??? THAT'S WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN ANYWAY!!! So you might as well get the job done.

[Theresawithanh]

President Bush is being a lot nicer about the ISG and their bonehead recs than I would've been.

More people need to realize the threat we face, and stop believing the pap (B.S.) from the MSM. They are also the enemy.

[padre35]

Good question. And why didn't he ally himself with Israel to defeat Hezbullah this summer? And why let millions of illegals invade the southern border? (US not Iraq). And why let Bolton go without threatening not another stinking dime for the UN?

Shush, Stay the Course......

GWB badly needs to rehab this war, whether that means playing lip service to the ISG report, or to sending more soldiers into Iraq, or whatever.

GWB has three budgets left in his term in office, he needs to make a damn play.