(Washington D.C.) Tonight President George W. Bush will address the nation on live television to discuss Iraq. Earlier this week, Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) received a briefing, previewing what the President will say tonight. Congressman Thornberry has issued the following statement concerning the new strategy for Iraq:

"I am impressed that the Iraqi government seems to see the necessity for a new approach to reduce the violence.  This plan is a significant change. 

"I am not interested in sending in more troops just to have more boots on the ground.  I am not interested in doing more of what has not been working.  I do want to see a new plan in which Iraqis take the lead and have the primary burden.  We should not do for the Iraqis what they will not do for themselves.  We can help them by imbedding our troops in their units and by providing backup, but we have to make sure they follow through on what they promise to do."

"Some may believe that Iraq is a lost cause, and we should withdraw now. I think most people, however, recognize that success in Iraq is important to our own security and that we need to give our mission every chance to succeed."

-30-