Lieberman applauds president's plan for Iraq [View All]

[Moloch]

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was assailed for his pro-war views during his fall re-election race, praised President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq and urged his colleagues in Congress to proceed with respectful debate.

"Excessive partisan division and rancor at home only weakens our will to prevail in this war," Lieberman, I-Conn., said in a statement Wednesday.

In a speech Wednesday, Bush acknowledged for the first time he erred by failing to order a military buildup in Iraq last year and said he was increasing U.S. troops by 21,500 to quell the country's near-anarchy. The buildup runs counter to widespread anti-war passions among Americans and the advice of some top generals.

"The president did not take the easy path, but he took the correct and courageous course," Lieberman said. "It is a dangerous illusion to believe that we can depart Iraq and the inevitable killing fields and terrorist violence will not follow us in retreat - even to our own shores."

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