Generals: Bush level-headed in evaluating Iraq policy

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-12-12-bush-iraq_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA

Generals: Bush level-headed in evaluating Iraq policy

WASHINGTON — President Bush, whose series of high-level meetings on Iraq includes a videoconference today with military leaders in Iraq, is "very engaged" and "very sober-minded" in the search for new policy ideas, according to two retired Army generals who met with him on Monday.

"I found him very engaged. I think he's looking for some answers, and the impression I had was there will be some changes," said retired Gen. Wayne Downing in an interview with NBC's Today show. "I think you're going to see some new things come out."

Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey said the president was "very sober-minded" and listened "intently to different views," including a difference of opinion among the former generals over the Iraq Study Group recommendation that most combat troops could be withdrawn from Iraq by the first quarter of 2008.

Today, Bush will speak by videoconference with the senior military commanders in Iraq. On Wednesday, he will confer with senior defense officials at the Pentagon.