US President George Bush on Saturday claimed that critics are wrongheaded to argue for a different policy in Iraq. With just over five weeks to go before midterm elections, Democrats have been citing a government intelligence assessment to bolster their criticism of Bush's policy on Iraq. The classified National Intelligence Estimate, parts of which Bush declassified earlier this week, says the Iraq war has contributed to a global growth in the terrorist movement.
In his Saturday radio address, Bush tried to hit back. "Some in Washington have selectively quoted from this document to make the case that by fighting the terrorists in Iraq, we are making our people less secure here at home," Bush said. "Five years after the 9/11 attacks, some people in Washington still do not understand the nature of the enemy. The only way to protect our citizens at home is to go on the offense against the enemy across the world."
Bush argued Saturday that maintaining the U.S. presence in Iraq is crucial to winning the broader war on terror. "Our safety depends on the outcome of the battle in Iraq," he said. "Withdrawing from Iraq before the enemy is defeated would embolden the terrorists."
