From Deseret News archives:
Hatch criticizes Bush, says he failed to prepare for war in Iraq
Hatch's statement comes as the Senate debates resolutions opposing the president's proposed 20,000 additional troops to Baghdad. The House is set to take up a similar resolution next week.
"I am supporting a strategy for success," Hatch, R-Utah, said on the Senate floor Wednesday. "So far, President Bush who has a lot to answer for the mistakes that have been made is offering the only way to try to leave Iraq in better shape than it is now."
Hatch said the administration failed "to anticipate many variables in the Iraqi theater, in the region and in Iraqi society.
"Those who prepared only for the military defeat of Saddam's forces committed such a profound error that it will be a lesson learned in the history books long after we are gone," Hatch said.
The speech marks Hatch's strongest criticism of the war, although he ended his remarks by saying he is "not conceding defeat, nor preparing for withdrawal" and urged his colleagues to support the president.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, in remarks after the State of the Union address, said Bush acknowledged mistakes were made and put his detractors on the defensive.
A recent poll in The Politico, a new Washington-based newspaper covering Congress, indicated Bennett and Hatch said they did not regret their "yes" vote in 2002 to authorize the vote in Iraq, supported the surge and did not support withdrawal by a certain date.
E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com
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