150,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, more than 4,209 killed, and Bush is taking a victory lap

[bigtree]

White House transcript of Bush photo-op with Iraqi President Talabani . . . ("hard work")

Salam Palace
Baghdad, Iraq
6:01 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT TALABANI: Today we have the pleasure and honor of seeing our great friend for the Iraqi people, President George W. Bush, who helped us to liberate our country and to reach this day, which we have democracy, human rights, and prosperity gradually in our country. Thanks to him and his courageous leadership that we are here now in this building.

So we are very glad to have him with us and we discussed with him all our problems very frankly and friendly, and we hope that will continue friendship with him, even he'll be back in Texas.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you and the Vice Presidents for greeting me. I've known these men for a long time, and I have come to admire them for their courage and for their determination to succeed. I am also here to herald the passage of the SFA/SOFA as a reminder of our friendship and as a way forward to help the Iraqi people realize the blessings of a free society.

And the work hasn't been easy, but it has been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope, and world peace. So Mr. President, thank you for your friendship and thank you for your hospitality. I'm looking forward to meeting all folks who are involved in the process, leading this political process. And I am just so grateful that I had a chance to come back to Iraq before my presidency ended.

PRESIDENT TALABANI: They want picture with you, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, absolutely.


Did Bush ask Talibani for 'permission' to keep troops in Iraqi cities past the agreement's deadline?


Report: US troops to get Iraq permission to stay in cities

BAGHDAD — U.S. combat troops will remain inside Iraqi cities to train and aid Iraqi forces after next summer, despite a security agreement that calls for their withdrawal from urban areas by June 30, the top U.S. military commander said Saturday.

Under the agreement approved this month, American troops are required to pull out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Iraqi forces are scheduled to take over security in cities and towns beginning June 30.

Odierno said some U.S. troops would remain at joint security stations in training and support roles.

"We believe we should still be inside those after the summer," he told reporters at a U.S. base in Balad, north of Baghdad.

Odierno said the final withdrawal deadline could still change because the agreement might be renegotiated with the Iraqi government. "Three years is a very long time," Odierno said.

read: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/world/12/14/1214iraq.html



Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, walks with Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of multi-national forces Iraq following a town hall meeting with troops Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, in Balad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Scott Olson, Pool)

[livetohike]

1. But what about the auto bail out?

When times at home get tough.....Bush disappears. He is so delusional, he actually believes the Iraqis like him :eyes:.

[bigtree]

5. Iraq is obviously more important to him

White House: No Action On Auto Bailout While Bush In Iraq

December 14, 2008: 10:50 AM ET

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AFP) - President George W. Bush will not take action Sunday on a multi-billion-dollar bailout for beleaguered U.S. automakers while he is in Iraq on a surprise visit, the White House said.

Spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters aboard the president's plane as he flew to Baghdad that she "can't imagine" there will be any movement on using parts of the government's $700 billion bailout package for financial firms to rescue the automakers from collapse while Bush is in Iraq.

"I don't anticipate anything before we return," Perino said.

The White House hasn't announced when Bush is due to leave Iraq and return to the U.S.

U.S. autoworkers were anxiously awaiting word on whether the White House would take decisive action on an industry bailout, after a $14 billion rescue plan failed to pass the U.S. Senate this week.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200812141050DOWJONESDJONLINE000294_FORTUNE5.htm

[tekisui]

2. All I have to say about that War Criminal is:

[marylanddem]

3. Words cannot express the shame he should feel

[babylonsister]

4. Very hard for me to fathom. I feel so much disdain for the creep and bet there

are lots of people in Iraq who feel likewise.