Bush ignores report's criticism of Iraq war handling.

[citizen snips]

WASHINGTON - President Bush spoke Saturday about parts of the Iraq Study Group report that mirror his policies — but he ignored the sections that criticize his administration's handling of the war.

In his weekly radio broadcast, Bush said the bipartisan group's report presented a straightforward picture of the "grave situation we face in Iraq." He said he was pleased the panel supported his goal of an Iraq that can govern, sustain and defend itself, even though that will take time. And he said he was glad the bipartisan panel did not suggest a hasty withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

"The group declared that such a withdrawal would `almost certainly produce greater sectarian violence' and lead to `a significant power vacuum, greater human suffering, regional destabilization and a threat to the global economy,'" Bush said, quoting the report, which was issued Thursday.

"The report went on to say, `If we leave and Iraq descends into chaos, the long-range consequences could eventually require the United States to return,'" Bush noted.

The report, however, also said the situation in Iraq was "grave and deteriorating."

Bush is expected to settle on a new course for Iraq and present it to the nation in a speech before Christmas. He said he will consider the panel's 79 recommendations.

The president goes to the State Department for talks Monday, then meets in the Oval Office with independent experts on Iraq. On Tuesday, the president confers in a video conference with senior military commanders and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the top U.S. diplomat in Iraq. On Wednesday, he meets with senior defense officials at the Pentagon

Democrats say the report vindicates their call for a change of course by the administration, but it's unclear how dramatic the changes the president is contemplating would be.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061209/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

[Sam1]

1. Same old shit from the same old shits.

Baker did the job he is always doing. Protecting and advancing the Bush Family. The thrust of the recommendations and lack of a timetable for withdrawal, there is some discussion, is to allow The Shrub to play at war until he is relived of duty.

Writing at "Unclaimed Territory" Glenn Greenwald has a great analysis of the effect of the ISG's report. Business as usually.

Baker has always been great at bait and switch.

[Skittles]

3. I believe you are correct, Sam1

the report is so friggin' wishy-washy it allowed bush to tailor parts for his fantasies - I doubt that was done accidentally.

[Skittles]

2. GAWD - CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT FRIGGIN' NITWIT

WHAT A G.D. EMBARRASSMENT HE IS

[yellowcanine]

4. Well what did we expect? That he would say "I fucked up big time. I resign now."?

[katty]

5. Only the 3 AmEgo's left: bush, cheney, condi

[rodeodance]

6. all that 'frontmatter' to the book is such a bore.