Bush discusses lengthy U.S. presence in Iraq

Question: Mr. President, I'd like to ask you for your reaction on the latest insurgent attacks in Baghdad:  17 police officers killed and a bunch of insurgents freed.

I spent a fair amount of time in front of that hotel in Cleveland yesterday talking to people about the war and saying you were there to talk optimistically.  And one woman who said she voted for you said, "You know what?  He's losing me.  He's been there too long.  He's losing me."

What do you say to her?

President Bush: I say that I'm talking realistically to people.

We have a plan for victory, and it's important we achieve that plan.  A democracy -- first of all, this is a global war on terror, and Iraq is a part of the war on terror.

Mr. Zarqawi and Al Qaida, the very same people that attacked the United States, have made it clear that they want to drive us out of Iraq so they can plan, plot and attack America again.

That's what they have said.  That's their objective.

I think it is very important to have a president who's realistic and listens to what the enemy says.

Secondly, I am confident -- or I believe; I'm optimistic -- we'll succeed.  If not, I'd pull our troops out.  If I didn't believe we had a plan for victory, I wouldn't leave our people in harm's way.  And that's important for the woman to understand.

Thirdly, in spite of the bad news on television -- and there is bad news; you brought it up.  You said, "How do I react to a bombing that took place yesterday?"  It's precisely what the enemy understands is possible to do.  I'm not suggesting you shouldn't talk about it.

I'm certainly not being -- please don't take that as criticism. But it also is a realistic assessment of the enemy's capability to affect the debate, and they know that.

They're capable of blowing up innocent life so it ends up on your TV show.  And, therefore, it affects the woman in Cleveland you were talking to.

And I can understand how Americans are worried about whether or not we can win.  I think most Americans understand we need to win. But they're concerned about whether or not we can win.

So one of the reasons I go around the country to Cleveland is to explain why I think we can win.

And so I would say:  Yes, I'm optimistic about being able to achieve a victory.

But I'm also realistic.  I fully understand the consequences of this war.  I understand people's lives are being lost.

But I also understand the consequences of not achieving our objective by leaving too early.  Iraq would become a place of instability, a place from which the enemy can plot, plan and attack.

I believe that they want to hurt us again.  And, therefore, I know we need to stay on the offense against this enemy.

They've declared Iraq to be the central front.  And, therefore, we've got to make sure we win that.  And I believe we will.

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