Bush defends Iraq policy, says troops should stay

WASHINGTON – President Bush laid down an impassioned defense of his Iraq policy Monday, saying the United States must stay in the fight despite an escalating death toll, increasing calls for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and growing public sentiment against the war.

While acknowledging that raging sectarian violence and mounting U.S. casualties in Iraq are “straining the psyche of our country,” Bush said that withdrawing U.S. troops before the nation is stabilized would be disastrous.

“Leaving before the job would be done would send a message that America really is no longer engaged, nor cares about the form of governments in the Middle East,” he said. “Leaving before the job was done would send a signal to our troops that the sacrifices they made were not worth it. Leaving before the job is done would be a disaster, and that’s what we’re saying.”

Resolute and at times exasperated during a 56-minute news conference, Bush cast the war in Iraq as part of a broader struggle against Islamic extremism that holds serious implications for the security of the United States. Bush’s defense of his Iraq policy touched on familiar themes, but his passionate and lengthy plea to keep fighting was striking in light of the plummeting support for the war among the public and – more worrisome for the White House – among Republicans.

Many Democrats, and some Republicans, have called for a fixed timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. Also, an increasing number of conservative commentators who once agitated for the invasion are now critical of Bush’s handling of the war. Iraq has become the central issue in the campaigns leading to this fall’s congressional elections, prompting some GOP candidates to avoid public appearances with the president.

“You know, it’s an interesting debate we’re having in America about how to handle Iraq,” Bush said. “There’s a lot of people – good, decent people – saying ‘Withdraw now.’ They’re absolutely wrong. It would be a huge mistake for this country.”

Bush was adamant in arguing that the conflict is crucial to the broader battle against terrorism. “If you think it’s bad now, imagine what Iraq would look like if the United States leaves before this government can defend itself and sustain itself,” he said.