I Want More U.S. Forces For 2007 "Destination IRAQ"

Year end assessment of an unpopular war, President Bush said yesterday that the year in Iraq opened with hope and optimism and closed with disappointment and caution.

A year ago the administration was talking about possible withdrawals of American troops. Now, Bush is talking about sending in more U.S. forces

Summing up Iraq at a year end news conference, Bush said 2006 "was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people." "As for America’s enemies, they had success in fomenting sectarian violence that has slowed reconstruction, reconciliation and security."

"I’m not going to make predictions about what 2007 will look like in Iraq, except that it’s going to require difficult choices and additional sacrifices because the enemy is merciless and violent," the president said

Bush isn't standing down about U.S. goals for Iraq as he continued to say:

"Victory in Iraq is achievable," he said. "It hadn’t happened nearly as quickly as I hoped it would have. ...

"But I also don’t believe most Americans want us just to get out now. A lot of Americans understand the consequences of defeat. Retreat would embolden radicals. It would hurt the credibility of the United States."

Bush stepped back from his confident assertion two months ago that "absolutely, we’re winning" in Iraq. Yesterday, he said, "We’re not winning. We’re not losing."

The president said he changed his formulation because "we’re not succeeding nearly as fast as I wanted ... and that the conditions are tough in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad."

He said his original remark, on Oct. 25, was made in the spirit that "I believe that we’re going to win. I believe that and by the way, if I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t have our troops there."

I wonder if they will change the name of "Camp Victory" in Iraq to "Camp WTF."