He used a videoconference for this buoying, because it's not safe yet for him to go to Iraq. This from USAToday is interesting:
While polls show declining support for the war, Bush told the soldiers: "You've got to know, the American people are standing strong with you," Bush said.
The exchange was carefully choreographed.
Before it began, a Pentagon official coached the troops, telling them the president planned to ask questions on three topics: The overall security in Iraq, how they were preparing for the vote on Saturday and how much progress had been made in the training of Iraqi troops.
Allison Barber, a Pentagon official, said Bush would ask them specifically, "In the last 10 months, what kind of progress have we seen?"
She asked who was prepared to answer the question. "Master Sgt. Lombardo," one said.
After Bush asked just that question, Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo responded: "Over the past 10 months, the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces are improving ... They continue to develop and grow into a sustainable force."
Are we supposed to know this? Good for the writer of this article.