Bush discusses lengthy U.S. presence in Iraq

Question: And how much of a factor do you think that will be, if it's achieved, in turning around or at least improving the situation with public opinion?

President Bush: Here in America?

Question: Right.

President Bush: That's a trick question, because you want to get me to talk about polls when I don't pay attention to polls.

(Crosstalk)

At least after five and a half years I was able to rout you out.

First of all, I have no idea whether or not a -- how Americans are going to react to a unity government.  There'll be a unity government formed and there could be an attack the next day.  I mean, so it's hard for me to predict.

I do know a unity government, though, is necessary for us to achieve our objective.  I do know that the Iraqi people -- 11 million of them -- voted in an election in December, which is like four months ago.  And the message I received from that is I hope the same message that those who have been in charge of forming a unity government receive, and that is the people have spoken and they want democracy.

That's what they said.  Otherwise, they wouldn't have participated.  They expect there to be a democracy in place that listens to their demands.

And so, most importantly, I believe a unity government will begin to affect the attitudes of the Iraqis, and that's important for them to get confidence not only in the government, but in a security force that will provide them security.

Confidence amongst the Iraqis is what's going to be a vital part of achieving a victory, which will then enable the American people to understand that victory is possible.

In other words, the American people, their opinions I suspect will be affected by what they see on their TV screens.  The unity government will affect -- first and foremost -- the Iraqi people, and that's a very important part of achieving success.

We do have a plan for victory, and victory is clearly stated, and that is that Iraq is not a -- becomes a safe haven -- and that's important for the American people that Iraq not be a safe haven for terrorists.

Their stated objective is to turn Iraq into a safe haven from which they can launch attacks.

Secondly, a part of the plan for victory is for there to be security forces capable of defending and providing security to the Iraqi citizens.

And thirdly is that democracy and that government take root to the extent that it can't be overturned by those who want to stop democracy from taking hold in Iraq.

These are clear objectives.  And they're achievable objectives.

Question: Mr. President, in the upcoming elections, I think many Republicans would tell you one of the big things they're worried about is the national debt, which was $5.7 trillion when you took office. It's now nearly $8.2 trillion.  And Congress has just voted to raise it to $8.9 trillion.

That would be a 58 percent increase.

You've yet to veto a single bill, sir.  I assume that means you're satisfied with this.

President Bush: No, I'm not satisfied with the rise of mandatory spending.

As you know, the president doesn't veto mandatory spending increases.  And mandatory spending increases are those increases in the budget caused by increases in spending on Medicare and Social Security.

And that's why -- back to this man's question right here -- it's important for -- this man being Jim...

(Laughter)

Sorry, Jim.  I got a lot on my mind these days.

That's why it's important for us to modernize and strengthen Social Security and Medicare in order to be able to deal with the increases in mandatory spending.

Secondly, in terms of discretionary spending, that part of the budget over which Congress has got some control and over which the president can make suggestions, we have suggested that the Congress fully fund the troops in harm's way.

And they have.  And for that, the American people should be grateful.

Secondly, we suggested that Congress fund the reconstruction efforts for Katrina.  They have spent now a little more than $100 billion.  And I think that's money well spent -- a commitment that needed to be kept.

Thirdly, we have said that, other than security discretionary spending, that we ought to, last year, actually reduce the amount of discretionary spending.  And were able to do so.

Ever since I've been the president, we have slowed the rate of growth of non-security discretionary spending and actually cut non-security discretionary spending.

Last year I submitted a budget to the United States Congress.  I would hope they would meet the targets of the budget that I submitted in order to continue to make a commitment to the American people.

But in terms of the debt, mandatory spending increases are driving a lot of that debt.  And that's why it's important to get the reforms done.

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