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Dems Jeer 'Iraq Victory' Anniversary

5 years after 'Mission Accomplised,' Dems put war in the spotlight

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 1, 2008 3:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Five years ago today, President Bush bounded out of a fighter jet onto a deck of an aircraft carrier and, under a huge "Mission Accomplished" banner, boasted to cheering troops that major combat operations in Iraq had ended. As the war drags on into its sixth year, congressional Democrats are using the anniversary to highlight the administration's "arrogant" mishandling of Iraq, Politico reports.

"History books will feature the sorry 'mission accomplished' episode as the epitome of this administration’s reckless and arrogant foreign policy," Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd told the House. The White House, meanwhile, repeated its story that the banner had been hung up simply to mark the end of the aircraft carrier crew's 10-month mission.

In this May 1, 2003, file photo, President Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
In this May 1, 2003, file photo, President Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Peace activists hold up a banner reading 'Mission Accomplished' in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 30, 2007, to protest the war in Iraq.
Peace activists hold up a banner reading 'Mission Accomplished' in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 30, 2007, to protest the war in Iraq.   (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg)
Ken Perkins, 85 who served with the Marines during World War II, joined about 50 others in demonstrating against the war in Iraqi, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 19, 2008.
Ken Perkins, 85 who served with the Marines during World War II, joined about 50 others in demonstrating against the war in Iraqi, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The USS Abraham Lincoln displays her Homeward Bound pennant and a banner reading Mission Accomplished.
The USS Abraham Lincoln displays her "Homeward Bound" pennant and a banner reading "Mission Accomplished."   (KRT Photos)
President Bush addresses the troops on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, May 1, 2003.
President Bush addresses the troops on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, May 1, 2003.   (Getty Images)
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