Bush to Address Nation on Iraq Strategy

President Bush will take his case for the unpopular Iraq war directly to the American people in a televised address Thursday. Bush vowed to “lay out a vision” following Monday’s report from Gen. David Petraeus, and asked Congress for patience. That virtue is scarce, however, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid already declaring the surge a failure, Reuters reports.

Promised progress in the Iraqi political arena has not happened, Reid said, cautioning that Petraeus’ upcoming report would “pass through the White House spin machine.” Despite historically low approval ratings, Bush is unlikely to change course on Iraq, though he may support a limited drawdown. Petraeus has indicated that he would be willing to withdraw a brigade in January. (More George W. Bush stories.)