'Until freedom prevails': Bush says U.S. retreat would be disastrous

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

Addressing the 88th 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 democracy and radical, Muslim extremism and terrorism is likely 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, the president said such a retreat would be disastrous.

"The world is watching," he said. While some may decide to stop fighting terrorists, the terrorists "will not decide to 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 series of speeches 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 midterm elections now just two months away.

In a speech before a fund-raising event for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Bush said: "People in Washington 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 World War II, Bush told a mostly older crowd of veterans, their spouses and invited guests at the American Legion convention.