Think Progress has the video and the words of the President from June of 2005. Back then, Bush was going to listen to the military commanders. Back then, sending more troops would send the wrong signal. Back then, sending more troops would "undermine our strategy":
Some Americans ask me, if completing the mission is so important, why don’t you send more troops? If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave. As we determine the right force level, our troops can know that I will continue to be guided by the advice that matters: the sober judgment of our military leaders.Problem is that Bush never, ever listened to the military and never, ever had a strategy.
Bush is out of control. These are very scary times. The President is putting his ego before the needs of our country. He's willing to sacrifice U.S. soldiers because he cannot admit his mistake.
