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Length: 2:58
LOU DOBBS: Good evening,
everybody.
U.S. troops in Baghdad tonight have begun what could
be the decisive battle of this war. The first U.S.
reinforcements are deploying in the Iraqi capital,
trying to stop the spiraling violence. The deployment
comes two days after insurgents killed nearly 130
Iraqis in a massive truck bombing.
On Capitol Hill, supporters and opponents of that
troop increase are escalating their political
opposition. Republican leaders tonight threatening to
block any vote on a Senate resolution that criticizes
the president's conduct of this war.
Michael Ware tonight reports from Baghdad on the
tremendous challenge that faces our troops in Iraq.
Andrea Koppel reports from Capitol Hill tonight on
the political showdown.
And Suzanne Malveaux reports from the White House on
the president's massive new budget. Much of it for
the war in Iraq.
We turn first to Michael Ware in Baghdad -- Michael.
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Lou, in the Iraqi
capital of Baghdad today, a city of more than five
million people craving security, the violence
continues unabated. Following the weekend's
devastating truck bomb attack in a crowded
marketplace that killed more than 128 people, the
capital awoke today to 25 more bodies found on its
streets, most likely the victims of sectarian
violence.
This was followed by a five-hour spree of violence in
which 27 more people were killed by at least five car
bombings, mortar attacks, shootings and roadside
bombings. All of this as the city awaits for the
Baghdad security plan to deliver stability.
With 21,500 American reinforcements expected, only
one brigade, about 3,200 troops, have been activated
so far. They have begun moving into the city,
creeping through operations as they begin to not only
secure neighborhoods, but attempt to hold them,
putting American forces in place where they are
expected to stay -- a dramatic change from previous
plans.
However, this surge, as President Bush has described
the Baghdad security plan, is merely mutation of the
previous battle of Baghdad known as Operation
Together Forward, the military's plan to reclaim the
capital from the death squads, militias and
insurgents who hold this population in a
stranglehold.
Meanwhile, elements of the Iraqi government have
criticized the American military for failing to
institute the new security plan quickly enough,
crediting the Americans with creating a security
environment that has allowed these vicious attacks to
continue -- Lou.
DOBBS: Michael Ware from Baghdad.