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Bush to 'ramp up' P.R. on IraqTells GOP leaders he will seek more money for rebuilding
From Ted Barrett
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush told Republican congressional leaders Wednesday he will mount a "very aggressive" campaign to explain to the American people the U.S. mission in post-Saddam Iraq, a senior GOP leadership aide said. Bush also said he will seek supplemental funding from Congress for rebuilding Iraq. Although details weren't provided, the request is expected to be in the tens of billions of dollars. Some lawmakers, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, urged the White House to submit its request as soon as possible, said another GOP aide. After the meeting, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas expressed the same thought. "Our people feel sooner rather than later would be better," Hutchison said. A third GOP source said the president was encouraged to "be bold" with his request for money and ask for as much as he needs now in order to get the job done right in Iraq. "The president was told to ask for as much as he may need for the foreseeable future," said the GOP source, "whatever it is, ask for it now, and make sure you can justify it." The senior GOP aide told CNN that Bush was passionate about the "moral imperative" the United States faces in Iraq as part of the war on terrorism. He pledged that "no half-measures" will be taken to bring the chaotic situation in that country under control, the aide said. Bush returned this week from a monthlong vacation at his Texas ranch and Congress returned from its summer break on Wednesday. According to the GOP aide, the president said the White House will "seriously ramp up the public relations effort" to counter Democratic criticism of the administration's Iraq policy. Bush promised a "campaign style" drive to bolster public support in which "we're going to say exactly why we're in Iraq," the aide said. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and other key advisers met in the Cabinet room with the top GOP leaders of the House and Senate, chairmen of the appropriations committees and other key lawmakers. Most scattered afterward, eluding reporters. The White House offered no immediate comment on what transpired. Senate GOP Conference Chairman Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania told reporters "80 percent" of the meeting was about Iraq. One GOP congressional aide said other issues discussed included the economy, energy, Medicare, prescription drugs, tort reform and the status of the nation's forests. CNN correspondent Dana Bash and producer Catherine Berger and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.
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