FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: Discussing Sending More Troops to Baghdad is Fresh Evidence that Bush’s Policy Is a Failure

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on news reports that National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley is in Iraq to discuss sending more troops to Baghdad:

“Dispatching National Security Advisor Hadley to Iraq to discuss sending more troops to Baghdad is fresh evidence that President Bush’s ‘stay the course’ policy is a failure.  Despite increasing U.S. troop strength to about 145,000 in response to heightened levels of violence in Iraq, we have lost 103 of our finest men and women in October alone.

“With militia influence over the Iraqi police apparently increasing, and the Iraqi government apparently having conceded parts of Baghdad to the control of sectarian militias, we should not commit even more American troops to a fight the Iraqis seem increasingly unwilling to make themselves.  Our brave men and women in uniform deserve a plan for success that is worthy of their sacrifice, not more of the same from President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld.  It is time for a new direction in Iraq.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi