Bush says Iraq war must continue

Hello! I'm Kristin Volk with today's news update on this Wednesday, March 19, 2008, President Bus...  More »

Hello! I'm Kristin Volk with today's news update on this Wednesday, March 19, 2008, President Bush says the U.S. is safer because of the Iraq war. His comments today mark the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war. Bush said that removing Sadaam Hussein from power was a moment of triumph. He praised the troop surge and said it was necessary when the fight in Iraq was faltering. The President also acknowledged that the war has cost lives and money. Almost 4 thousand American troops have died in the conflict. The anniversary of the war has prompted thousands to protest it. In the past few days, activists have descended on Washington, DC, calling for an end to the conflict. Today, demonstrators are vowing to block the entrance to the Internal Revenue Service and disrupt the offices of lobbyists who represent military contractors and oil companies profiting from the war. Several Supreme Court justices are seemingly skeptical that the District of Columbia's 32-year-old handgun ban can survive under the Constitution. Yesterday, the nation's highest court took up the gun rights case. A majority of justices agreed earlier today that governments have a right to regulate those firearms, despite all agreeing that Americans have a right to own guns. Whether Washington's ban on handguns goes too far is still up in the air. Both proponents and opponents of the Second Amendment have protested at the Court. A ruling is expected by June. A new poll out shows Senator Barack Obama's lead over his rival Hillary Clinton has narrowed. And both Democratic presidential hopefuls trail Republican nominee John McCain. That's according to a Reuters/Zogby survey. Obama reportedly has an insignificant lead of 47 percent over Clinton, who's at 44 percent. That's down from the Illinois senator's 14-point lead over Clinton last month. Obama has been on the defensive in recent weeks after racially charged sermons given by his Chicago preacher surfaced. Yesterday in a speech, he addressed the issue and the problem of race in America. That's all for now. Go to upi.com for your daily news and updates. Thanks for watching.  « Less