United States Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released the following statement in response to President Bush’s speech calling for an increase in American troops in Iraq.
“By calling for a rapid escalation of American troops in the war in Iraq, the President rebuffed the advice of key commanders, thumbed his nose at the recommendations of the bipartisan Baker-Hamilton Commission, and, worst of all ignored the will of the American people. The change in direction for which the American people voted in November was not a rapid escalation in troops but a responsible redeployment as recommended by the bipartisan Baker-Hamilton Commission. We should transfer more responsibility, not less, to the Iraqi government. The President’s misguided decision will only reduce the pressure for sectarian leaders to achieve national reconciliation. Without national reconciliation, there is no hope of achieving any kind of stability in Iraq.”