[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 19 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Pages 587-588]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 588]]

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 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. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.