Bush says surge critics should offer own plan

PORTLAND – President Bush said Thursday that Republican senators, including those from Maine, who oppose his plan to increase U.S. troops in Iraq should put forth a plan of their own.

In an interview in Washington with WGME-TV, Bush was asked his thoughts about members of his own party opposing his plan calling for an increase of 21,500 troops in Iraq.

“My advice to those who are speaking out against a new plan that hasn’t been given a chance to work is to present a plan that you think will work,” Bush said.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins oppose the president’s plan to build up American troops in Iraq. Snowe this week was one of two Republican senators to join Democratic senators in signing on to a nonbinding Senate resolution opposing the buildup.

Collins, who visited Iraq in December, told WGME that her plan would be to reallocate troops to Iraq’s Anbar province, but not bring additional troops to Baghdad to curb sectarian violence.

She said she hopes the president’s plan works, but thinks he is making a big mistake.