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Bush drives home message: Stay the course
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Saying the United States "has a vital interest in the success of a free Iraq," President Bush promised to stay the course in the war-wracked country, where U.S. troops have been slugging it out for nearly three years in a bloody fight against a determined insurgency. In his weekly radio address, Bush said that "in the year ahead, we will continue to pursue the comprehensive strategy for victory that I have discussed with you in recent weeks." He also praised the Iraqis' "three successful elections" this year amid insurgent intimidation. He told listeners that the underpinnings of the plan for victory in Iraq involve security, politics and economics. "First, our coalition is staying on the offense, finding and clearing the enemy out of Iraqi cities, towns, and villages, transferring more control to Iraqi units, and building up the Iraqi security forces so they can increasingly lead the fight to secure their country." "Second, we are helping Iraqis build the political institutions of an inclusive, unified, and lasting democracy. "And third, our coalition is overcoming earlier setbacks and moving forward with a reconstruction plan to rebuild Iraq's economy and infrastructure. As we help Iraq build a peaceful and stable democracy, the United States will gain an ally in the war on terror, inspire reformers across the Middle East, and make the American people more secure." U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq in March 2003 and ousted the Saddam Hussein regime. However, after Bush declared the major phase of the war over in a May 1, 2003, the insurgency in Iraq grew and spread. Since the war began, there have been 2,177 U.S. troops killed in the Iraq conflict, with 2,037 of them dying in combat and non-hostile incidents after the May 1 speech. Bush addressed the American economy, spelling out U.S. economic priorities next year and financial achievements this year. "Our economy has been growing strongly for more than two years, and has added nearly 4.5 million jobs since May of 2003. More Americans own their homes than at any time in our nation's history. Inflation is low, productivity is high, and small businesses are flourishing. Real disposable income is up, consumers are confident, and early reports suggest good retail sales this holiday season." He called for "sound policies" and prudence and good sense in handling "taxpayers' money" and touted his budget proposal this year as the "most disciplined" since the President Reagan era. He said tax relief should be made "permanent." "Working with the Congress, we ended or reduced about 90 lower-priority or poorly performing government programs, cut non-security discretionary spending, and kept overall discretionary spending growth below the rate of inflation. We have now cut the rate of growth in non-security discretionary spending each year I have been in office." He noted the House and Senate vote "to cut mandatory spending by nearly $40 billion." "This will be the first reduction of entitlement spending in nearly a decade. By being responsible with the taxpayers' money, we are funding our nation's priorities, while staying on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009." He called for expanding "free and fair trade" and building on the "progress we've made with this year's energy bill, so our nation will be less dependent on foreign sources of energy. " Bush also addressed the devastation caused by the hurricanes that slammed the Gulf Coast. "We will show the compassionate heart of our nation and provide the people of the Gulf Coast the help they need to rebuild after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita." 
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