| Bush to hear about changing Iraq tactics
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - President Bush acknowledged Friday that the situation in Iraq was tough and said he would consult with American generals to see if a change in tactics was necessary to combat the escalating violence.
Seventy-four American troops have died in Iraq in October, likely to become the deadliest month for U.S. forces in nearly two years.
"One of the reasons you're seeing more casualties is the enemy is active and so are our troops," Bush said in a brief interview with The Associated Press.
He said he planned consultations in the next day with Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, and Gen. George Casey, who leads the U.S.-led Multinational Forces in Iraq.
"We are constantly adjusting tactics so we can achieve our objectives and right now, it's tough," the president said.
He declined to say whether he thought such a change was necessary.
The president has often said that U.S. goals in Iraq remain the same: to have a country that can sustain itself, govern itself and help in the war on terror.
The White House said that while Bush might change tactics in Iraq, he would not change his overall strategy despite growing opposition and Republican anxiety that his policy could cost the GOP control of the House or the Senate — or both.
"He's not somebody who gets jumpy at polls," presidential spokesman Tony Snow said.
"The president is not going to alter his approach based on political considerations, but instead on the business of trying and moving toward having an Iraq that can sustain, govern and defend itself," Bush's spokesman said.
With the war in its fourth year and the U.S. death toll above 2,780, Bush faces intense political pressure to change what critics say is a failed Iraq policy. An independent commission led by former secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana is exploring options for a new Iraq strategy.
On another contentious foreign policy issue, Bush said he would not comment on a report that North Korea had apologized for conducting a nuclear test until he had a chance to consult with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials on the nuclear standoff.
The mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had told the Chinese that "he is sorry about the nuclear test." The North Korean leader also raised the possibility the country would return to arms talks.
Bush took questions for about 10 minutes after a roundtable with senior citizens on the Medicare drug program.
He said Republicans were missing an opportunity if they were not talking about the drug plan and how it's working on the campaign trail.
He brushed off changes proposed by Democrats, including having the government negotiate drug prices rather than individual insurance plans.
"We will resist any changes to weaken this program," Bush said.
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