YARRABS (Yet Another Rabid Republican Against Bush's Surge)

WASHINGTON - Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., one of President Bush's strongest supporters, said Tuesday he doesn't think a White House plan to increase American troop strength in Iraq is a good idea.

"You bet I'm skeptical," Bunning told reporters in a telephone conference call.

The senator stressed that he had no details about Bush's new Iraq strategy other than what has been reported in the media, but based on that, "I don't necessarily believe that more troops are necessary."

"I think more responsibility to the Iraqi government that is now up and running is necessary to defend their homeland and to get their own house in order," Bunning said. "I would rather see us maintain our current level and get them out of harm's way and put Iraqi security forces in harm's way."