Washington, DC, Jan 10, 2007 - U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31), House Republican Conference Secretary, made the following statement in response to President Bush’s speech on the new strategy for Iraq.

“I want to commend the President for taking a careful and deliberative approach to unveiling his new strategy in Iraq. He has listened to the needs of the generals and commanders in the field and has developed a plan that will lead to success in Iraq.

“If the Commander-in-Chief and the commanders on the ground in Iraq say our troops need more bullets to achieve victory, then we should give them more bullets. If they say they need more body armor, then we need to give them more body armor. If they say they need more boots on the ground, then we need to give them more boots on the ground.

“It is wrong for the Democrats to say they support the troops if they won't give them the boots on the ground they need to achieve victory.”