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Bush Recycles Old Ideas As “New”

Bush: “To further prepare Iraqi forces to fight the enemy on their own, we are taking three new steps: First, we are partnering Coalition units with Iraqi units Second, we are embedding Coalition ‘Transition Teams’ inside Iraqi units Third, we are working with the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Defense to improve their capabilities to coordinate anti-terrorist operations.”

Fact: This Is Not New; Bush Said We Would Work With Iraqi Units Last February.

Bush: “The game plan is to stand with the Iraqis, is to train them better, is to give them a chain of command, is to work with their junior officers, so that the Iraqi units — which did very well on election day — have got what it takes to defend their own country.” [Bush, 2/4/05]

Fact: Bush Said He Would Work With Iraqi Government Before.

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Bush: “But I believe that the Iraqi government’s going to be plenty capable of dealing with them, and our job is to help train them so that they can.” [Bush, 5/31/05]

Bush: “This [Iraq] is a government that’s got the ministries in place, that spends the money. We’re willing to help — and we have helped. And I want to thank the Congress and the American people for their generosity in helping Iraq rebuild. And we’re spending money.” [Bush, 6/24/05]