But Hatch supports Bush's call for more troops, arguing it could keep Iraq from slipping into chaos.

"Those who prepared only for the military defeat of SadÂdam's forces committed such a profound error that it will be a lesson learned in the history books long after we're gone," Hatch said in a speech on the Senate floor.

However, Hatch said, he will support President Bush's plan to add 21,500 troops to the Iraq theater because there is "a reasonable chance" the so-called surge could improve security in Baghdad, quell sectarian violence and allow the Iraqi government to gain control of the situation.

"We need to recognize that, worse than the vanity about easy victory committed in 2003, is the denial of a calamitous defeat that would occur if we leave before we make every attempt to stabilize the country," Hatch said.

The speech marks Hatch's harshest assessment of the situation in Iraq.

In November, he defended former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's management of the war planning, saying Rumsfeld's reputation should not be blemished by the mistakes in the conduct of the war.

"You'd have to tarnish every young American who served over there," Hatch said at the time.

But Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, an outspoken critic of the war, said it is disingenuous for a war defender like Hatch to pin the blame on the administration.

"I'd like to hear Senator Hatch stand up and say he and Congress made extremely serious errors and led us into this disaster rather than simply pinning it on the administration, because the administration would not have been able to proceed without a reckless, irresponsible and cowardly Congress," Anderson said.

And, the mayor said, adding troops would compound the mistakes already made.

"Why would we trust those who have already lied to this nation, who have already made such enormous blunders, to put more than 20,000 more of our servicemen and women in harms way? The only way at this point to truly support our troops is to get them out of Iraq," he said.

Hatch's latest comments come as the Senate has been engaged in a week-long debate over the surge strategy, and whether to vote on three competing resolutions: one opposing the surge strategy, one expressing support for U.S. troops and the war and a third endorsing the surge and placing demands on the Iraqi government.

Hatch supports the third option, sponsored by Arizona Sen. John McCain.

On Wednesday, Hatch said war planners underestimated the hostility of the Sunni Muslims forced from power and the inability of the Shiite leaders to assume control.

He cited mistakes ranging from the failure to secure ammunition dumps, to disbanding the Iraqi army and ousting Ba'ath elements of the Hussein regime.

"I have watched the course of this conflict with increasing concern and dismay," Hatch said. "I have been profoundly disappointed in realizing the errors we have made in implementing this war."

Hatch said he would support the administration's surge strategy, but would demand the administration be up front about its plans for Iraq after the surge, whether or not it succeeds in calming Baghdad.

"I am supporting a strategy for success," Hatch said. "So far, President Bush - who has a lot to answer for the mistakes that have been made - is offering the only way to try to leave Iraq in better shape than it is now."

Utah Democratic Chairman Wayne Holland was not surprised to hear that Hatch had acknowledged mistakes in the prosecution of the war.

"I just think this is too much of Orrin Hatch's historical behavior of saying one thing, voicing concerns, but then saying 'let's not do anything and stay the course,' " Holland said. "That is not a plan that's going to be successful."

---

* THOMAS BURR contributed to this report.