Bush Says Critics Of Troops Rise Must Offer Alternative

(epa) January 13, 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has said that those who oppose his new plan to send more troops to Iraq must offer an alternative.

Bush announced this week that he plans to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. Leading Democrats and some lawmakers from Bush's Republican party have criticized the plan as an "escalation" of the war and said the plan is not going to work.

In his regular weekly address today, Bush said it was "irresponsible" to "oppose everything while proposing nothing."

He said a cutoff in funding should not even be considered because it would undercut troops on the ground.

Bush also reiterated that he would hold the Iraqi government responsible to pledges they made, including taking over the country's security by November.

(compiled from agency reports)