Iraq: 'half benchmarks' not met

Last Modified: 14 Sep 2007
By: Sarah Smith

President Bush admitted that half his bench marks on Iraq, have not been met - and that's being optimistic.

Upbeat and jovial President Bush is pleased that he can now continue his war the way he wants to. It's been a good week for Bush - even though two thirds of the country still think he is wrong.

Today he had to admit half his benchmarks in have not been met - and that's optimistic, and 13 American troops were killed Iraq this week - he didn't mention any of that last night.

So over 5,000 troops will be home by Christmas - a small concession to hardening public opposition to the war but numbers had to come down anyway - America doesn't have enough troops to sustain this surge.

The president did not use the word withdrawal - did not dare say victory either.

Bush admitted for the first time that large numbers of US forces will be in Iraq beyond the end of his presidency - so leaving will be someone else's problem.

The democratic frontrunners now largely agree on Iraq. They want a phased end to the war - starting now. They all know that White House strategy means the next president with take the blame if withdrawing leads to chaos and civil war.

The president was addressing several constituencies last night - public who will be only slightly heartened to hear of limited troop withdrawals. He was sending a message to Iraq's neighbours, like Iran, that the US intends to stay.

But mostly he was talking to a handful of Republicans in congress he hopes will not vote against him and try to force him to change course in Iraq. And even if they are the only people he persuaded that is still a political victory that will be a tactical success - despite the widespread opposition to his long term strategy