Mitt Romney issued a statement on the President's "New Strategy"

"I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change. Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror. It is impossible to defeat the insurgency without first providing security for the Iraqi people. Civilian security is the precondition for any political and economic reconstruction.

"In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops. I support adding five brigades in Baghdad and two regiments in Al-Anbar province. Success will require rapid deployment.

"This effort should be combined with clear objectives and milestones for U.S. and Iraqi leaders.

"The road ahead will be difficult but success is still possible in Iraq. I believe it is in America's national security interest to achieve it."

Romney's declaration of support is yet another indicator that regardless of what Democrats, lefty bloggers and the media say--the American public is not in a get-us-out-Iraq mood.

A number of Democrat officials have tacitly and sometime publicly indicated that they have no real intention of denying bullets to our troops--a clear indicator that they fear public backlash.

Bush has a chance here, but he had better get it right...