President Bush coined a new catch phrase in trying yet again to build support for an increasingly unpopular war: "Return on success." That's short for limited troop withdrawals -- without spelling it out.
It follows Bush's oft-stated mantra that American troops would "stand down" as Iraqi forces "stand up." Democrats were hard pressed to see much difference. But no matter the bumper sticker slogan, the underlying thinking is a continuing U.S. military presence in Iraq through the end of the Bush presidency.
In his latest address to the nation, Bush was "at least trying to co-opt the sense of middle ground -- make it look like the congressional Democrats are the unbending ideologically rigid crowd, and that he's the one trying to reach out," said Wayne Fields, an expert on presidential rhetoric at Washington University in St. Louis.
Still, said Fields, "He is clearly tired. That was one of the things that hit me last night. Part of his early appeal to the general public was his infectious cheerfulness. Now, he looks worn down by the burden of it all -- which is appropriate, but it makes for a different dynamic."
| • | Analysis: Bush recasts war rationale
Associated Press, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007 Byline: Tom Raum, Associated Press |
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