Bush Again Defends Iraq Policy

By TIM CRAIG The Washington Post

Published: Jul 5, 2007

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - President Bush gave an Independence Day pep talk to West Virginia National Guard members and their families, telling them victory in Iraq "will require more patience, more courage and more sacrifice."

Bush reiterated his warning that "terrorists and extremists" would try to strike inside the United States if the military walks away from the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"If we were to quit Iraq before the job is done, the terrorists we are fighting would not declare victory and lay down their arms. They would follow us here, home," Bush told a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered at a West Virginia Air National Guard maintenance hangar.

Bush's trip to West Virginia came as he faces growing pressure, including from some senior Republicans, to draw down U.S. forces in Iraq.

Bush, who turns 61 Friday, showed little sign of backing down. He urged Americans to be patient, saying he won't pull troops "prematurely based on politics." He added: "We must succeed for our sake. For the security of our citizens, we must support the Iraqi government and we must defeat al-Qaida in Iraq."

Several family members said Bush's speech helped ease their doubts about whether the war in Iraq is worth the loss more than 3,500 soldiers.

"I'm glad we came. I think it helped clear up some confusion and some misgivings about our reasons for being there," said Chris Davis, 56, who has a 26-year-old son in the Guard. "The president gave us some pride, knowing what [our son] is doing for the country."

Others were unimpressed. "I've heard it all before. I just don't approve of the war," said Patti Scott of Richmond, Va.