THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
Isle congressmen split on Iraq strategy
PRESIDENT Bush's speech discussing a national strategy for the continued occupation of Iraq highlights a deep division between Hawaii's two Democratic congressmen over the future of American forces in Iraq.
Rep. Ed Case, speaking yesterday in Honolulu, said Bush was "articulating a set of goals that are pretty much what I have been articulating for three years."
But Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who supports a scheduled withdrawal of U.S. forces, said Bush's speech yesterday added nothing.
"It isn't a plan; it is a prayer," says Abercrombie, who also is in Honolulu this week.
Case called the speech realistic. "I think he is trying to do the right thing."
In the speech at Annapolis, Md., yesterday, Bush defended his war strategy, refused to set a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawals and asserted that once-shaky Iraqi troops are proving increasingly capable.
The speech was intended as a comprehensive answer to mounting criticism and questions. Billed as a major address, it brought together in a single package the administration's arguments for the war and assertions of progress on military, economic and political tracks. The speech was the first of at least three the president plans to give before the Dec. 15 Iraqi elections.
Americans, Case said, are frustrated with the war in Iraq, made all the worse because of "the failure of the president to clearly articulate what are the stakes, mission and our goals in Iraq."
Abercrombie, however, said "America needs a plan for the withdrawal of its forces," although not an immediate departure.
"If after Dec. 15, sovereignty exists in Iraq -- then they (Iraqis) have to take the field," said Abercrombie, who represents urban Honolulu.
If the war and pacification are going as well as Bush says, Abercrombie argues, "we should be ready to go."
The factions within Iraq, Abercrombie said, will find a way to coexist only after America leaves the country. "They aren't going to do it while we are there," he said.
But Case disagreed, saying one of the reasons he supports Bush is because of the continuing terrorism coming from Iraq.
"Al-Qaida and its friends are in Iraq now, and yes, we can argue about them coming in because we invaded, but it doesn't matter, they are there."
Case, who represents the neighbor islands and rural Oahu, also rejected calls for a specific withdrawal date, calling that "a recipe for disaster."
Abercrombie said he is also concerned that the nation cannot pay for an extended occupation of Iraq.
"We are dealing with a budget reconciliation bill that says we can't pay for foster kids, we don't have the money for vaccinations.
"So if building and construction is doing great in Iraq, how are we doing in New Orleans? We haven't even been able to clean up the streets," Abercrombie said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.