    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 5, 2007]
    [Pages 541-542]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 5, 2007

        Good morning. At this hour, America's brave men and women in uniform
    are engaging our enemies around the world. And in this time of war, our
    elected officials have no higher responsibility than to provide these
    troops with the funds and flexibility they need to prevail.
        On Wednesday, I met with congressional leaders from both parties
    here at the White House. We discussed ways to pass a responsible
    emergency war spending bill that will fully fund our troops as quickly
    as possible. It was a positive meeting. Democratic leaders assured me
    they are committed to funding our troops, and I told them I'm committed
    to working with members of both parties to do just that.
        I've appointed three senior members of my White House staff to
    negotiate with Congress on this vital legislation: my Chief of Staff
    Josh Bolten, National Security Adviser
    Steve Hadley, and Budget Director Rob
    Portman. By working together, I believe
    we can pass a good bill quickly and give our troops the resources and
    flexibility they need.
        Earlier this week, I vetoed the bill Congress sent me because it set
    a fixed date to begin to pull out of Iraq, imposed unworkable conditions
    on our military commanders, and included billions of dollars in spending
    unrelated to the war. And on Wednesday, the House voted to sustain my
    veto by a wide margin.
        I recognize that many Democratic leaders saw this bill as an
    opportunity to make a statement about their opposition to the war. In a
    democracy, we should debate our differences openly and honestly. But now
    it is time to give our troops the resources they are waiting for.
        Our troops are now carrying out a new strategy in Iraq under the
    leadership of a new commander, General David Petraeus. He's an expert in counterinsurgency warfare. The goal of
    the new strategy he is implementing is to help the Iraqis secure their
    capital so they can make progress toward reconciliation and build a free
    nation that respects the rights of its people, upholds the rule of law,
    and fights extremists alongside the United States in the war on terror.
    This strategy is still in its early stages, and Congress needs to give
    General Petraeus's plan a chance to work.
        I know that Republicans and Democrats will not agree on every issue
    in this war, but the consequences of failure in Iraq are clear: If we
    were to leave Iraq before the Government can defend itself, there would
    be a security vacuum in the country. Extremists from all factions could
    compete to fill that vacuum, causing sectarian killing to multiply on a
    horrific scale.
        If radicals and terrorists emerge from this battle with control of
    Iraq, they would have control of a nation with massive oil reserves,
    which they could use to fund their dangerous ambitions and spread their
    influence. The Al Qaida terrorists who behead captives or order suicide
    bombings would not be satisfied to see America defeated and gone from
    Iraq. They would be emboldened by their victory, protected by their new
    sanctuary, eager to impose their hateful vision on surrounding
    countries, and eager to harm Americans.
        No responsible leader in Washington has an interest in letting that
    happen. I call on Congress to work with my administration and quickly
    craft a responsible war spending bill. We must provide our men and women
    in uniform with the resources and support they deserve. I'm confident
    that leaders of good will can deliver this important result.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:50 a.m. on May 4 in the Cabinet Room
    at the White

    [[Page 542]]

    House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 5. The transcript was made
    available by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 4, but was
    embargoed for release until the broadcast. In the radio address, the
    President referred to Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding general,
    Multi-National Force--Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this address.