This comes as a top Senate Republican is urging President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq. John Warner of Virginia said on Thursday at least 5,000 troops should be brought home by Christmas. Warner said the president needs to send a sharp and clear message to the Middle East and voters at home.

Sen. John Warner: “I think no clearer form of that than if the president were to announce on the 15th that, in consultation with our senior military commanders, he’s decided to initiate the first step in a withdrawal of our forces.”

While Senator Warner urged Bush to begin withdrawing troops, he argued that it was not the role of Congress to mandate it.