Deadly Attacks on Marines Put New Pressure on Bush to Find an Exit Strategy
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBY8VTGZBE.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - The deadly recent attacks on American troops in Iraq are increasing the pressure on President Bush to develop an exit strategy. The U.S. death toll from the war is now over 1,800, and a new AP-Ipsos poll shows the lowest approval yet for Bush's handling of Iraq, just 38 percent.
The president's fellow Republicans are growing nervous as they head into an election year.
Yet the administration must also confront the possibility that a U.S. drawdown of troops - tentatively planned to begin next spring - could further embolden the insurgents and throw Iraq into civil war.
There has been little outward sign of progress in U.S.-led efforts to defeat the insurgency and to beef up the Iraqi army and police so they can take over security responsibilities and allow an orderly withdrawal of American forces.
Particularly lethal bombings over the past few weeks, including a roadside bomb that claimed the lives of 14 Marines on Wednesday, have made the situation look even bleaker than U.S. military experts suggest it is.
That translates into a continued erosion of public support for Bush's Iraq policy at home.
An AP-Ipsos poll this week showed that just 38 percent of Americans approve of Bush's handling of Iraq. A year ago, the public was evenly divided on Iraq, and Bush's stance on the war and terrorism helped him to election victory.
Despite the horrific headlines, many military analysts say that attacks on U.S. troops have actually remained constant in recent weeks while attacks on Iraqi civilians have increased.
Jeff Mers, commander of a VFW post that has raised money and sent care packages to the Columbus-based Marine company that suffered the heaviest losses, said that even before this week's attacks, he and other veterans were dazed from attending funerals.
'I think I've been to nine of these just in central Ohio in the past few months,' he said.
