The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is comprised of Democrats and Republicans alike, questioned Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the president’s plan to send 21,500 more US soldiers into the war he created. Resisting the urge to offer meaningful insight, Condi applauded Bush’s plan as a sincere solution to “win” in Iraq. Taking to his new position like a nail to a coffin, Defense Secretary Gates said that although the increase in troops is intended to be temporary, that “no one has a really clear idea of how long” it would be.

During the meeting with Rice, Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said, “I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder since Vietnam, if it is carried out”. Democratic Senator Joe Biden said America’s demand for a workable strategy had not been met. “I believe the president’s strategy is not a solution, Secretary Rice. I believe it’s a tragic mistake,” Biden said. “The result will be the loss of more American lives and our military stretched to the breaking point with little prospect of success.”

Feeling that they were being ignored yet again, Americans took to the streets in what organizers said were only the beginning of many more protests against Bush and his plan to escalate the war. Jan Rogers, who took part in a protest in San Francisco, said “The rest of the country is shouting, ‘Stop this insanity,’ and I think he’s just trying to save his presidency and his legacy.” Law student Zahra Billoo, advocated an immediate troop withdrawal. “I think our only presence at this point needs to be humanitarian aid. No more armed soldiers - they’re not wanted there.” In Times Square in New York, hundreds of anti-war protesters crammed into a traffic island in one of the world’s most famous intersections as drivers honked in support of their cause.

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