White House (AP) The White House says President Bush “bears responsibility” for the decision to go to war in Iraq and spends time every day thinking about the U.S. troops who have lost their lives in battle.

Yesterday, four U.S. Soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, bringing the number of American deaths in the Iraq war to at least 4,000.

Asked about the toll, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the president “believes that every life is precious” and he is “constantly concerned” about the welfare of their families. But she says the families of those killed tell him they want to see the mission completed successfully.

Perino says Mr. Bush will speak to General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker today by videoconference from Iraq. They'll be making recommendations on how to cement security gains made in the past year.