Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops

[superconnected]

WASHINGTON - President Bush acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that he erred by not ordering a military buildup in Iraq last year and said he was increasing U.S. troops by 21,500 to quell the country's near-anarchy. "Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me," Bush said.

The buildup puts Bush on a collision course with the new Democratic Congress and pushes the American troop presence in Iraq toward its highest level. It also runs counter to widespread anti-war passions among Americans and the advice of some top generals.

In a prime-time address to the nation, Bush pushed back against the Democrats' calls to end the unpopular war. He said that "to step back now would force a collapse of the Iraqi government, tear that country apart and result in mass killings on an unimaginable scale."

"If we increase our support at this crucial moment and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home," Bush said. But he braced Americans to expect more U.S. casualties for now and did not specify how long the additional troops would stay.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070111/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq

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Dumbass goes against an entire nation...

[superconnected]

1. bush "takes blame", by blaming iraqi gov for the US not winning...

"Usually loath to admit error, Bush said it also was a mistake to have allowed American forces to be restricted by the Iraqi government, which tried to prevent U.S. military operations against fighters controlled by the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful political ally of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The president said al-Maliki had assured him that from now on, "political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated."

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As Bush spoke for 20 minutes from the unusual setting of the White House library, the sounds of protesters amassed outside the compound's gates occasionally filtered through.

Bush's approach amounts to a huge gamble on al-Maliki's willingness — and ability — to deliver on promises he has consistently failed to keep: to disband Shiite militias, pursue national reconciliation and make good on commitments for Iraqi forces to handle security operations in Baghdad.

"Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents," the president said. "And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have."

[superconnected]

2. Why doesn't he call it the war with Baghdad because we can't even take

Baghdad, let alone Iraq....

"The latest increase calls for sending 17,500 U.S. combat troops to Baghdad. The first of five brigades will arrive by next Monday. The next would arrive by Feb. 15 and the reminder would come in 30-day increments. "

[heavylynn]

3. Takes blame almost under his breath. This backdoor blame Rummy tactic.

Wonder if al-Sadr will go for laying down his arms?

[burbank_spiffers]

4. Taking the blame...

With such a "woops, my bad" sound to it. So easy to say, so hard to truly accept the responsibility - which is not bloody likely to happen.

cheers,
~Mike

[MurrayDelph]

6. and as half-assed an apology as it was

that was still after TWO DAYS rehearsing!

[Frank Cannon]

12. No kidding. "Taking the blame," Bush? Then resign, asshole.

That POS has never faced the consequences of any screw-up he's made in his whole screwed-up life. He has no possible idea what "taking responsibility" is.

[madeline_con]

5. "My bad. Let's send some more guys."

:wtf:

[rodeodance]

7. Jr. talked in 3rd person. He did not blame himself

[rodeodance]

8. Look, trhis is NOT taking blame:

.....The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people - and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me. It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq. So my national security team, military commanders, and diplomats conducted a comprehensive review. We consulted Members of Congress from both parties, allies abroad, and distinguished outside experts. We benefited from the thoughtful recommendations of the Iraq Study Group - a bipartisan panel led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. In our discussions, we all agreed that there is no magic formula for success in Iraq. And one message came through loud and clear: Failure in Iraq would be a disaster for the United States. The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits.

[POAS]

14. translation

Other people made mistakes and now I have to take responsibility for their failures.

[truthisfreedom]

9. empties Treasury into pockets of coat

he'll quickly pay $10 to own in 2008.

[Lasher]

10. He didn't admit to any mistake

He said he takes responsibility for mistakes that have been made. By others, get it? Darn it, you just can't get good help these days. He'll have to fire those incompetent underlings who made mistakes, but he personally didn't make any. Never has.

[llmart]

11. Are the twins and the nephew on the way there yet???

I didn't think so.

F*** you bush! And Cheney too.

[Frank Cannon]

13. Nephews, you mean

Neil Bush's son looks healthy enough to go, as well.