WASHINGTON — President Bush warned the American people Monday that the U.S. engagement in Iraq will intensify in the coming year, with the Jan. 30 election marking the "beginning of a process" toward democracy that will require higher troop levels and continue through 2005.
Painting a far more sober picture of the situation in Iraq than he did during his reelection campaign, Bush acknowledged that efforts to train Iraqi security forces have had only "mixed" results and that a violent insurgency has eroded morale among Iraqis and Americans.
In what is likely to be his last full-dress news conference before his inauguration next month, Bush appeared to be laying the groundwork for the first year of his second term. He argued that the Social Security system was in "crisis" and needed dramatic reform. He pledged to start simplifying the tax system. And he made it clear that troop levels in Iraq -- which the Pentagon plans to raise from 138,000 to 150,000 to increase security during the election -- are unlikely to be reduced next year.
The president shielded Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who has come under renewed attack even by Bush's Republican allies for failing to adequately prepare for the aftermath of the war and adequately equip troops in the field and for displaying callousness to the families of the fallen by using a machine to sign condolence letters.
"I know Secretary Rumsfeld's heart. I know how much he cares for the troops," Bush said. "You know, sometimes perhaps his demeanor is rough and gruff, but beneath that ... is a good human being who cares deeply about the military and deeply about the grief that war causes."
In the 53-minute session with reporters, Bush sought to portray the U.S. involvement in Iraq as challenging but important and refused to predict when stability would be achieved.
"My point is the elections in January are just the beginning of a process, and it's important for the American people to understand that," Bush said during his opening comments in a small auditorium next door to the White House.
"No one can predict every turn in the months ahead, and I certainly don't expect the process to be trouble-free, yet I am confident of the result," he continued. "I'm confident the terrorists will fail, the elections will go forward and Iraq will be a democracy that reflects the values and traditions of its people."
