Pelosi: ‘Bush Gives Lip Service to Security and Economy in Iraq, While Ignoring Unmet Needs at Home’

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ — House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in response to President Bush’s speech today at the Council of Foreign Relations:

“In his speech today, President Bush offered anecdotes about economic progress in Iraq; he neglected to point out that oil production is flat, that the generation of electricity is below pre- invasion levels in many areas, and that unemployment is estimated to be 40 percent or more. Those facts produce frustration that only aids the insurgency. The reconstruction effort in Iraq has faltered in large part because the President’s policies have not made Iraq secure.

“While giving lip service to security and the economy in Iraq, President Bush ignores those unmet needs here at home. The failed grades on the 9/11 Commission’s final report card this week so clearly point out that the Bush Administration has ignored America’s security needs. The Bush Administration talks about helping the Persian Gulf while ignoring the destroyed lives of the Gulf Coast. Democrats believe a stronger America begins at home.

“The Bush Administration and Republicans in Congress have failed to strengthen the economy at home, while middle-class Americans are facing out of control health care costs and crushing home heating bills. Meanwhile, the President’s priority is to spend $7 billion per month on a failing campaign in Iraq and to rebuild Afghanistan.

“We must make America safer, make our military stronger, and make Iraq more stable. Our troops deserve nothing less and the American people expect nothing less.”

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