Bush underscores support for Iraq PM

By Staff
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SELLERSBURG, Ind., Oct 28 (Reuters) President George W Bush tried to reassure Iraq's prime minister of his supPort as Democrats accused the president of living in a ''fantasy world'' when it comes to the war.

Ten days before the election in which doubts over Iraq may cost Bush's Republican Party its dominance in the US Congress, the president insisted he had a plan to stabilize the country and said leaving too quickly would be a mistake.

''We will defeat the enemy in Iraq,'' Bush told a rally in Indiana as he stumped for an endangered Republican incumbent, Rep. Mike Sodrel.

''We have a plan for victory. Our goal is a country that can sustain itself, govern itself and a defend itself and will be an ally in the war on terror,'' he said.

Before leaving Washington for his campaign swing, Bush held a 50-minute videoconference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in which he told him that election-year pressure over the unpopular war would not weaken his support for Maliki's government.

''Both leaders understand the political pressures going on,'' said White House spokesman Tony Snow. ''But the president told him don't worry about politics in the United States because we are with you, and we are going to be with you.'' Some lawmakers have urged the Bush administration to use timetables for a possible U.S. withdrawal or other means to press Maliki to do more to rein in militias and curb growing sectarian violence.

Democrats, in their weekly radio address, accused Bush of botching the Iraq war, in which 98 Americans have died in October alone -- the highest toll since January 2005.

''With the right leadership, the situation in Iraq is solvable, in a way that will increase stability in the West Asia and reduce the threat of international terrorism,'' said Jim Webb, a US Senate candidate in Virginia, who delivered the Democratic address.

''But the key word is leadership, which has been a scarce commodity among this administration and its followers,'' Webb said.

FRESH STRATEGY Webb, a Vietnam veteran, highlighted comments from Republicans such as Virginia Sen John Warner and former Secretary of State James Baker, who have suggested the surging violence may call for a fresh strategy in Iraq.

''They are moving away from the fantasy world of this administration, toward real solutions,'' said Webb, who is running against Sen George Allen, whose seat was once considered safe but who is now locked in a close race.

Baker, a close friend of the Bush family, is heading a bipartisan panel looking at strategies for Iraq but its recommendations will not be ready before the November 7 elections.

A number of nationwide polls, including one by Reuters/Zogby released on Thursday, show voters strongly favoring Democratic candidates over Republicans.

Democrats and some Republicans have urged immediate changes in conduct of the war, including withdrawal of US troops and the resignation of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Other Republicans have called for sending more troops to the region.

Bush has said his administration is constantly adjusting military tactics in the war but has suggested a change in strategy was not imminent.

After the Indiana event, Bush was headed to South Carolina to greet troops at Charleston Air Force Base and then would attend a campaign fund-raiser.

Reuters DKS VP0115

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