Washington – President Bush, eager to show he can take advice on Iraq, embarked on a round of public outreach Monday and promised Americans the unpopular war eventually would make their lives safer.
Preparing for a major speech on the war’s future, Bush took the short trip to the State Department to review options with advisers there, then hosted a handful of experts on Iraq policy in the Oval Office.
“Like most Americans, this administration wants to succeed in Iraq because we understand success in Iraq would help protect the United States in the long run,” Bush said after his State Department briefing.
The White House remained tight-lipped on how Bush is likely to change strategy, saying the president is awaiting reports from his national security team before announcing a plan to the nation. That is expected to happen before Christmas.
The president said his aim is to coordinate advice from his diplomatic and military advisers “so that when I do speak to the American people, they will know that I’ve listened to all aspects of government.”
Indeed, the administration’s “new way forward” includes a visible attempt to show an openness to ideas.
Today, Bush will meet via video conference with senior military commanders, then talk with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi in the Oval Office. Wednesday, he will confer with senior defense officials at the Pentagon.
Since the election, lawmakers of both parties have been to the White House to discuss the war with Bush.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said he saw no “gigantic difference” in the pace of public strategy sessions on the president’s schedule. But he added that Bush’s travels to the State Department and the Pentagon sent a message.
“It’s important that the American people be aware both of his consultation and his level of concern about getting it right,” Snow said.
The administration has rejected calls for troop withdrawals until Iraq can govern and defend itself, warning that retreat could create a haven for terrorists and kill a fledgling democracy.
“I don’t think he’s looking for an easy answer. He’s looking for the right answer. And the right answer isn’t one person’s idea,” said Republican strategist Ron Kaufman, who worked in the White House under Bush’s father.
At the State Department, Bush met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her senior advisers on Iraq, and with diplomats who serve as leaders of U.S. joint civilian-military units called provincial reconstruction teams.
The U.S. ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, participated by videoconference.
“It was a good give and take,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. “The president had questions throughout the entire set of briefings.”
Afterward, Bush delivered a statement but took no questions in the Treaty Room.
Snow said Bush hoped to be able to announce his decisions by Christmas. “It’s something that we would like to see, but I’m not going to promise it,” Snow said.
Developments
A Marine helicopter lands hard in Anbar province, injuring 18 people, nine of whom are treated and returned to duty. Hostile fire did not appear to be the cause.
Iraqi soldiers supported by coalition forces free 23 abducted civilians and arrest six suspected kidnappers in Baghdad.
A suicide car bomb explodes in central Baghdad this morning, killing at least 23 people and wounding 94, police said. The attack appeared to target a police patrol and Iraqis gathering to apply for jobs.
Amid concerns that the violence could have regional implications, more than 30 prominent Islamic clerics from Saudi Arabia call on Sunnis in the Middle East to support their brethren in Iraq against Shiites and praise the insurgency.
Casualties
The military announces that three U.S. soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing north of the capital Sunday. Two others were wounded.
