Meanwhile, President Bush continued to promote his plan to send another 21,000 troops to Iraq. In an interview with PBS, Bush explained his reasons for escalating the war.

President Bush: “I’m frustrated at times about Iraq because I understand the consequences of failure. I want the Iraqis to succeed for our own sake. This is a war, part of a broader war, and that if we fail in Iraq, there is a better likelihood that the enemy comes and hurts us here. And so, I am frustrated with the progress. If you were to take it and put me in an opinion poll and said do I approve of Iraq, I’d be one of those that said, 'No, I don't approve of what’s taking place in Iraq.’”

President Bush says he will proceed with the escalation no matter the result of an impending vote in Congress on whether to support the White House plan. Senate Democrats are expected to announce a resolution by Thursday with the House soon to follow.