New York, NY —

As President Bush begins promoting the troop withdrawal proposal he outlined to the nation last night, a top New York Democrat says the president's plan is a small gesture, designed to give Republicans some political cover on the war in Iraq for next year's presidential elections.

REPORTER: Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel, on WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show, says General Petraus' testimony on Capital Hill this week showed more is needed from Iraqis themselves.

RANGEL: “What sense does it make to really seek a military solution when president of military says it cannot be military, it's got to be political?”

REPORTER: A new White House report released today finds the Iraqi government has made little political and military progress since its last benchmark report in July.