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Bush Uses Vietnam to Argue Against Iraq Pullout

American withdrawal in Asia created 'tragedy'

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 22, 2007 3:57 PM CDT

(Newser) – In a speech today before a veterans' group, President Bush said the lessons of America's withdrawal from Vietnam argue against a rapid pullout from Iraq, CNN reports. "Millions of innocent citizens" paid the price after the US left Vietnam in 1975, Bush said, referring to "'re-education camps' and 'killing fields.' "

Bush's speech—ahead of September's report on conditions in Iraq—provoked a strong response from Democrats, with Sen. Joe Biden saying, "It's the president's policies that are pushing us toward another Saigon moment." Bush also affirmed his support for Iraqi PM Maliki, a "good man with a difficult job."

President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)   (Associated Press)
President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)   (Associated Press)
President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo.   (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
President Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)   (Associated Press)
Roses rest at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Washington. Nearly 1,500 roses honoring fathers who died serving in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were placed at the Wall as part of the annual Father's Day Rose Remembrance. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Roses rest at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Washington. Nearly 1,500 roses honoring fathers who died serving in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were placed at the Wall as part of...   (Associated Press)
A group of red roses rest at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Washington. Nearly 1,500 roses honoring fathers who died serving in the Vietnam and Iraq wars were placed at the Wall as part of the annual Father's Day Rose Remembrance. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
A group of red roses rest at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Washington. Nearly 1,500 roses honoring fathers who died serving in the Vietnam and Iraq wars were placed at the Wall...   (Associated Press)
President Bush waves to the crowd before a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convertion on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, in Kansas City, Mo.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush waves to the crowd before a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convertion on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
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