by Paula Berrer

President Bush agreed to a series of benchmarks at the urging of democratic legislators, but is insisting that they be limited to “showing a good effort,” and “they have to show us that they’re trying hard.”

Though many in Congress intended for the President to set benchmarks that are directed to Iraqi progress toward self-sufficiency, the President said he is unlikely to do so, saying “it might indicate to warring factions that we do not have the stomach for the fight. There is no graver threat than if we do not achieve victory in Iraq.”