is dead on!).
...."The president ... fails to understand the limited role the US military should play in Iraq's long-term political and economic reconstruction efforts," said Sen. Russell Feingold (D) of Wisconsin in a statement. "Our brave servicemen and women won a resounding victory in the military operation, and their task is largely over.".........
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20051208/ts_csm/ajawbone;_ylt=AkcyU3JD7FYH7KutuLuN5pOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-To seize back the agenda, Bush grabs the bullhorn
By Linda Feldmann, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Thu Dec 8, 3:00 AM ET
WASHINGTON - Republicans have greeted the flurry of presidential speechmaking on
Iraq and the economy - complete with slogans and campaign-style rhetoric - with a loud "it's about time."
At a congressional retreat last week, after President Bush had delivered the first of four major speeches laying out his plan for Iraq, the message to White House officials was clear: Do more to sell your successes. The next day, Mr. Bush made an unscheduled visit to the Rose Garden to highlight the latest economic news, including job gains, falling gasoline prices, and strong overall growth.
On Wednesday, Bush's second Iraq speech in eight days emphasized gains, admittedly uneven, in economic reform and reconstruction, citing Mosul and Najaf as examples of progress. After fighting to retake control of both cities, the White House asserts, coalition and Iraqi forces have rebuilt homes and schools and restored essential services. Bush packed his speech with statistics about public-works jobs, ongoing projects, and new businesses throughout Iraq.