Bush: Surge allows some troops to come home

President Bush told the nation Thursday night that the success of the military surge in Iraq is allowing him to start bringing some troops home.

He also called on the Democratic majority in Congress to join him in supporting the recommendations for the course in Iraq that Gen. David Petraeus outlined this week.

“In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people,” Bush said in his address from the Oval office. “We are now at such a moment.”

Bush highlighted the successes of the surge, focusing on the much-publicized gains in Anbar province. However, the president also pointed out that “formidable” challenges are still ahead.

Bush made it clear that Iraq’s government must now do its part and achieve national reconciliation to achieve a stable country. He added that support for Iraq should not be a partisan issue in Washington.

“Whatever political party you belong to, whatever your position on Iraq, we should be able to agree that America has a vital interest in preventing chaos and providing hope in the Middle East,” he said. “We should be able to agree that we must defeat al Qaeda, counter Iran, help the Afghan government, work for peace in the Holy Land, and strengthen our military so we can prevail in the struggle against terrorists and extremists.”

Despite the strong differences the White House and the congressional majority have had on the issue, Bush did extend an olive branch to Democratic leaders.

“Tonight I want to speak to Members of the United States Congress:  Let us come together on a policy of strength in the Middle East,” Bush stated. “I thank you for providing crucial funds and resources for our military. And I ask you to join me in supporting the recommendations General Petraeus has made and the troop levels he has asked for.”

In the Democratic response, Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.) said Bush “failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war or a convincing rationale to continue it.” He only agreed with the president in that it is a “critical moment.”

Reed said Democrats “believe it is time to change course.”

“We intend to exercise our Constitutional duties and profoundly change our military involvement in Iraq…,” Reed said.