The Situation Room
Live from Washington
Thursday, January 11, 2007

IN POLITICS:
? Speech Assessment: Reactions to Pres. Bush?s New Plan for Iraq
? Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, Wants to be President
? A Very ?High? Honor: Democrats Pick City to Host its ?08 Convention

IN THE NEWS:
? Are Iraqi Children Being Unwittingly Used as Assassins?
? Soccer Superstar David Beckham Signs Deal to Play in the U.S.

IN THE CAFFERTY FILE:
? Did President Bush say anything to change your mind about Iraq?
? How much longer will President Bush be allowed to prosecute the war in Iraq on his own terms?
? What is the definition of ?failure? in Iraq?

You can weigh-in at http://CNN.com/CaffertyFile

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IN THE SITUATION ONLINE:
? '94: Video shows Mitt Romney endorsing abortion, gay rights
? Is the U.S. ready for the world's most famous athlete -- David Beckham?
? Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd iPod playlist the

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HEADLINES:
SPEECH ASSESSMENT: REACTIONS TO PRES. BUSH?S NEW PLAN FOR IRAQ
First the unveiling. Now the selling. One day after President Bush unveiled his new strategy to stem the chaos and killing in Iraq, he and members of his administration are out selling the plan. Mister Bush himself is visiting Fort Benning, the Army base in Georgia, where he ate with soldiers and gave a speech to sell the new plan. In Washington, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza faced sharp questioning from Congress over the administration?s Iraq strategy. Gates testifies before the House Armed Services Committee. And Rice faced senators on the foreign Relations Committee.

In her opening remarks, Rice addressed the concerns, saying, "I want you to know that I understand and indeed feel the heartbreak that Americans feel at the continued sacrifice of
American lives, men and women who can never be replaced for their families, and for the concern of our men and women who are still in harm's way," she said. But "this is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq," she added.

But addressing Rice, one senator said this: ?Madame Secretary, when you set in motion the kind of policy that the president is talking about here is very dangerous. As a matter of fact, I have to say, Madame Secretary, that I think this speech given last night by this president was the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it is carried out. I will resist it.? That stinging assessment coming not from a Democrat -- but from Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. Other Republicans and many Democrats have also signed on to criticisms of the president?s plan. Among its details: the president will order at least 20,000 more U.S. troops to go to Iraq. We?ll have extensive coverage of the reaction to the entire proposal. Among our guests are White House Press Secretary Tony Snow and Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon, who?s opposed aspects of this new strategy.

ARE IRAQI CHILDREN BEING UNWITTINGLY USED AS ASSASSINS?
He?s only a teenager. Yet he?s killed a man. Now there are fears that some adults in Iraq may be using innocent, unwitting children to do their murderous dirty work. Today, the U.S. military said a 13 year-old-boy carried an improvised explosive device that killed an Iraqi soldier, yesterday. It?s not clear if the boy knew he was carrying the explosive. And, it?s unclear if the boy was killed. His identity is not known, a military statement said. But, "To dupe children to be mules, unwitting bombers, is not how honorable men behave," says coalition spokesman Marine Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Salas. The military statement said another "13 year-old was used to deliver IEDs to attack security forces in Anbar province" in November.

A VERY ?HIGH? HONOR: DEMOCRATS PICK CITY TO HOST ITS ?08 CONVENTION
He ? or she ? will accept the party?s nomination for president from the mile-high city. We can?t yet fill in the blank of the name of the Democratic nominee for president in 2008 -- but today we can report where he or she will accept the nomination. Denver. The Democratic National Committee has chosen that city to host it national convention, next year. Denver beat out other cities including New York for the right. The convention will begin August 25 and end three days later. DNC Chairman Howard Dean cited the party's recent political successes made in the West as one of the reasons why he chose Denver for the convention site.

SENATOR CHRIS DODD, DEMOCRAT OF CONNECTICUT, WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT
He?s not simply an ?explorer.? He definitely wants in. Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. Today ? sidestepping the exploratory committee process ? Dodd announced he will go directly to filing papers to run for president in 2008. Dodd made the announcement on the Imus radio program today, saying, "Things aren't going as well as they should here and abroad." Dodd now joins an ever-growing field of Democratic presidential prospects, including former North Carolina senator John Edwards, outgoing Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich.

SOCCER SUPERSTAR DAVID BECKHAM SIGNS DEAL TO PLAY IN THE U.S.
He?s an international sports star and sex symbol. His wife is equally praised for her stunning good looks. Paparazzi the world over stalk virtually their every move for pictures that are sought by millions of viewers. Now the pageant surrounding David and Victoria Beckham will come to the U.S. David Beckham, one of soccer?s most famous players, has signed a deal to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy for five years. While details of his contract will not be released, his total earnings over the five-year period "are likely to run into hundreds of millions of dollars," says a statement from the team. Beckham is currently finishing his season with Real Madrid in Spain, which had offered to extend Beckham?s contract for two seasons. But in a statement, Beckham says, "After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS beginning this summer." His wife, Victoria Beckham, is the singer formerly known as ?Posh Spice? of the Spice Girls. She?s said to be considering launching a solo singing career.

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