Sobering Holiday News From Bush

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2006 — -- As the president prepared to announce a change in strategy in the war, he came before the public today to offer an unusually somber look at both the past and the future in Iraq.

Bush said that the past 12 months were a good year for insurgents in Iraq and that the next 12 months might be even better.

During his annual pre-Christmas news conference, Bush said 2006 was a "difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people."

"We began the year with optimism after watching nearly 12 million Iraqis go to the polls to vote for a unity government and a free future. The enemies of liberty responded fiercely to this advance of freedom," Bush said.

His look ahead seemed bleak, too.

"It's going to require difficult choices and additional sacrifices because the enemy is merciless and violent," Bush said.

From a 'Win' to 'Tough' Conditions

Just six weeks ago, the president sounded much more upbeat and said, "Absolutely, we're winning. Al Qaeda is on the run."

But he changed that sentiment in an interview Tuesday with the Washington Post.

"I think an interesting construct that Gen. [Peter] Pace uses is 'We're not winning, we're not losing,'" he said.

At today's press conference, Bush was asked why he dropped his confident assertion about victory in Iraq.

"The first comment was done in this spirit: 'I believe that we're going to win,'" he explained. "My comments yesterday reflected the fact that we're not succeeding nearly as fast as I wanted when I said it at the time, and that the conditions are tough in Iraq."

Another change -- after repeatedly saying that he defers to his military commanders for decisions, Bush is now leaving open the possibility that he might overrule them if they oppose his request for more troops in Iraq.

For now, he cautions, "Let me wait and gather all the recommendations."

However the mission in Iraq changes, the president said he is sticking by his commitment to victory while acknowledging it is not always easy.

"The most painful aspect of the presidency is the fact that I know my decisions have caused young men and women to lose their lives," he said.

Karen Travers contributed to this report