Reaction to the Iraq study recommendations

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Reaction to the Iraq Study Group's recommendations:

    "This report gives a very tough assessment of the situation in Iraq. It is a report that brings some really very interesting proposals, and we will take every proposal seriously and we will act in a timely fashion. ... this report will give us all an opportunity to find common ground, for the good of the country — not for the good of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, but for the good of the country." — President Bush

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"We do not recommend a stay-the-course solution; in our opinion, that approach is no longer viable." James A. Baker III, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group.

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"The current approach is not working. And the ability of the United States to influence events is diminishing. ... Many Americans are understandably dissatisfied. Our ship of state has hit rough waters. It must now chart a new way forward." Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group.

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"We acknowledge that this is a tremendous step forward, and it will change course in Iraq. It's up to the president to fulfill his obligation, in my opinion, to the country, and follow the recommendations of this study group." Sen. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., Democratic leader.

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"Let's use this as a tool to advise the president, as all these recommendations that are coming to him from the Pentagon, from the Congress and from this study group. And let's speak with one voice as we move forward on Iraqi policy. I think that's the most important lesson and the most important track that the country could take right now." — Rep. Duncan Hunter (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., House Armed Services Committee chairman.

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"I feel encouraged, and I feel the stay-the-course strategy is officially dead." — Rep. Jane Harman (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif.

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   Now I guess that we will have to wait and see if the man in the White house will actually listen and do something right for once in his life!