Bush: 'We have resolve'

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SALT LAKE CITY -- President Bush yesterday called the war on terror a defining "struggle" against radical Islam that can be lost only if the American people lose their will to fight in Iraq.

"We can decide to stop fighting the terrorists in Iraq and other parts of the world, but they will not decide to stop fighting us," said Mr. Bush, who received applause throughout his speech from a supportive crowd at the American Legion convention.

The president said his critics who call for withdrawal don't understand terrorists are now a global force that is the successor to Nazis, communists and fascists of the 20th century. He said the new global ideology unites radical Sunni Muslims, Shi'ite Muslims and "homegrown" fanatics opposed to free societies.

"These groups form the outlines of a single movement -- a worldwide network of radicals that use terror to kill those who stand in the way of their totalitarian ideology," said Mr. Bush in the first of a series of speeches designed to renew support for the war on terror.

The president said he will remain committed to Iraq as long as he sees Iraqis "make the hard decisions" to push for peace and preserve their new democracy. He said he tells Iraqi leaders that "America is a patient nation."

Democrats said the calls for patience are falling on deaf ears here at home.

"The American people have been patient. We have resolve, and we are patriotic Americans who because of our patriotism call on this president to change course in Iraq, face the facts on the ground, and focus on the real war on terror," said Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean.

He said Mr. Bush offered nothing new, and said Republicans in Congress should be punished for supporting him.

"You can't trust Republicans to defend America," he said.

Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, said Mr. Bush's speech was "high on ideological rhetoric and low on substance," and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, said Mr. Bush continues to deny his "historic blunder" in Iraq.