Bush to vets: U.S. involvement in Iraq at 'pivotal moment'

Admitting that parts of Baghdad are not in control of the American and Iraqi military, President Bush promised thousands of veterans today that the United States will stay in Iraq until "freedom prevails."

Addressing the national convention of the American Legion in the Salt Palace, Bush was interrupted by applause and cheers a number of times.

"We are at a pivotal moment," he said, adding that the ideological war between radical, Muslim extremism and terrorism is the key battle of this century.

While some sincere people may believe that the United States should withdraw its troops from Iraq and no longer fight in the Middle East, he said, such a retreat would be disastrous.

"The world is watching," he said. And while some may say we should stop fighting the terrorists, "they won't stop fighting us."

As he's said many times, the president warned that if we don't fight terror in Iraq and other places in the world, "we will have to fight it in our own streets."

White House officials say the Salt Lake City address is the first of a number of speeches seeking support for the Iraq war. In the past, Bush has appeared before pro-military groups explaining why the war is important and why America can't leave Iraq before its citizens are ready to protect themselves.

In fact, Bush started a similar speech crusade a year ago in Utah when he addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Salt Palace.

This year's quest, however, finds more at stake. Republicans are in jeopardy of losing control of both the U.S. House and Senate in mid-term elections now just two months away.

In a speech before a fund-raising event for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Bush said: "People in Washsington trust Orrin. And so do I."

Hatch seeks a record-setting sixth, six-year term from Utah voters this year. A severe critic of local demonstrations against Bush, Hatch said of the president: "He doesn't buckle because of criticisms that come his way."

There is more sacrifice to come in Iraq, just as there was in WWII, Bush told a mostly-older crowd of veterans, their spouses and invited guests.

While Americans may see on the nightly news the violence and bombings in Iraq, in reality those terrorists attacking civilians and military alike are "small in numbers" — tiny compared to the 12 million Iraqis who voted recently saying "we want to be free,"" said Bush.

Tough decisions are ahead, the president said. But he promised that America will stand by their Iraqi colleagues.

"We will not let this country fall into tyranny" — defending the Iraqi people absolutely.