Hm. Interesting. Bush has at least conceded we aren’t winning in Iraq, though his subsequent sentiments are… less than encouraging.

In another turnaround, Bush said he has ordered Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to develop a plan to increase the troop strength of the Army and Marine Corps, heeding warnings from the Pentagon and Capitol Hill that multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan are stretching the armed forces toward the breaking point.

“We need to reset our military,” said Bush.

Now, I want you all to sit and think that over for a little while, because this is something I was actually unaware of until now. Bush hasn’t just been refusing withdrawal, he’s also been refusing increases of troops (hence the “turnaround”). Could he make it any more obvious this is a war of pride? Our president won’t even concede he didn’t use enough troops until he’s forced to. More…

In describing his decision, Bush tied it to the broader struggle against Islamic extremists around the world rather than to Iraq specifically. “It is an accurate reflection that this ideological war we’re in is going to last for a while and that we’re going to need a military that’s capable of being able to sustain our efforts and to help us achieve peace,” he said.

Ah. So we’re not winning now, but the war is still going to be incredibly long so everyone better buckle up and get ready for us to lose a lot more. Not to mention he’s still stuck telling us about the “ideological war”. Gah.