Iraq war lumbers into its fifth year amid protests

WASHINGTON — The Iraq war lumbered into its fifth year Monday with President Bush pleading for patience to let his revised battle plan work and Congress' new Democratic leaders retorting that no patience remains.

"The new strategy will need more time to take effect," Bush said in remarks televised from the White House to mark the four years since he ordered the invasion. He challenged Congress to send him a war-funding bill "without strings and without delay."

He got a swift response from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"The American people have lost confidence in President Bush's plan for a war without end in Iraq," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "That failed approach has been rejected by the voters in our nation, and it will be rejected by the Congress."

Four years in, the war has claimed the lives of more than 3,200 members of the U.S. military. Predictions about the cost and length of the war have been far surpassed. The public overwhelmingly opposes the war, and Bush's approval rating stands near his all-time low. Trying to halt spiraling sectarian bloodshed, Bush has ordered nearly 30,000 more combat and support troops to Iraq, mostly to stabilize Baghdad.

"Until Baghdad's citizens feel secure in their own homes and neighborhoods," Bush said, "it will be difficult for Iraqis to make further progress toward political reconciliation or economic rebuilding, steps necessary for Iraq to build a democratic society."

From Capitol Hill, House Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina said Democrats were intent on "ending the blank check for the president's war and setting a timeline for the phased redeployment of our U.S. military." The House will vote this week on legislation that would effectively require the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by next year, while providing funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the year.

"By August 2008 at the latest, U.S. combat troops will be redeployed from Iraq," said Clyburn.

A new poll reflected the stress and hopelessness that are the result of the unrelenting violence and uncertain political situation. The poll, by ABC News, USA Today, the BBC and ARD German TV, found only 18 percent of Iraqis have confidence in U.S. and coalition troops, 86 percent are concerned that someone in their household will be a victim of violence and 51 percent say violence against American forces is acceptable.

There were modest anti-war demonstrations in cities from coast to coast to mark the anniversary Monday. Protesters tried to block the New York Stock Exchange and several were detained. In Trenton, N.J., Bruce Tonari, a Vietnam veteran, said, "We lost our moral authority and we have to get it back."