President Bush Brings Empty Photo-Ops and Failed Iraq Strategy to Hawaii

Just days after former Secretary of State and frequent Bush advisor Henry Kissinger joined the growing chorus of war supporters publicly criticizing the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq, President Bush today is bringing his failed, stay the course approach to the war in Iraq to Hawaii. This latest photo-op with the troops comes just two weeks after the American people sent a clear message by rejecting his Party's permanent commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq and by electing a Democratic Congress.

The American people want a new direction in Iraq. Post-election polls showed that 37 percent of Americans said "the war in Iraq should be at the top of the congressional agenda during the next two years," more than 22 points higher than the second ranked issue. [AP, 11/15/06] When the new Congress convenes next year, Democrats will work to implement a comprehensive strategy for Iraq that includes:

• a phased redeployment of our troops and, for troops remaining in Iraq, a refocusing of their mission on counter-terrorism, training, logistics and force protection;
  
• placing real pressure on the Iraqi leadership to reach a sustainable political settlement that resolves critical issues of federalism, oil revenue sharing, combating militias, and achieving a fair power sharing arrangement;
  
• calling on the Bush Administration to convene an international conference and develop a regional strategy to support a political settlement in Iraq and to preserve Iraq's sovereignty; and
  
• laying out real benchmarks for the Iraqi government to make clear that Iraqis need to take responsibility for the future of their country.

"Voters in Hawaii and across the country sent a clear message rejecting the Bush Administration's permanent commitment to a failed strategy in Iraq," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Democrats are united behind a tough and smart plan to change course in Iraq. At every critical juncture in Iraq, Democrats have offered detailed, constructive criticism and a way forward. Now that the election is over, it is time for President Bush and the Republicans in Washington to listen to the American people and join Democrats in offering a new direction in Iraq."