The fourth time in nine days, the president delivered yet another speech on Congress’ spending bill for the war in Iraq. That Bush feels this is
April 15, 2007

The fourth time in nine days, the president delivered yet another speech on Congress’ spending bill for the war in Iraq. That Bush feels this is necessary is open to some interpretation, though I’m inclined to believe the White House thinks it’s losing this fight, so it’s trying to take the offensive, being aggressive on shaping the debate.

But he'll have to do better than this.

“The families gathered here understand that our troops want to finish the job.”

Really? There’s evidence to the contrary. As Greg Sargent noted, a recent Army Times poll found that only about half of U.S. troops think that success in this war is even possible. What’s more, only 38% of the troops expressed support for the president’s escalation strategy.

I’d add that last week, once soldiers started hearing about Bush extending their tours, there were “outbursts of anger and frustration laced with dark humor.” Specialist Rodney Lawson, to no one in particular, said, “If I get malaria, I get to leave, right?”

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