In a surprise speech to the National Press Club this afternoon, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) announced he is introducing today legislation that would require Congress to vote before the President escalates troop levels -- a speech that harkens back to Vietnam. His speech follows, as well as addenda provided by his office. (AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY) Raw Story: Gallup poll: Majority of public against escalation; 61 percent say 'no surge'. Reuters: Iraqi, U.S. forces "kill 50" in Baghdad battle: Iraqi traitors and U.S. occupying forces said they killed 50 people in central Baghdad on Tuesday as American jets and helicopters prowled overhead and Iraq's quisling government welcomed word from Washington that more U.S. troops are on their way. The casualty estimate from the Iraqi Defense Ministry for the day's battle around Haifa Street took the death toll in the neighborhood, long a bastion of Sunni insurgents, to more than 130 people since Saturday, most of them described by the Iraqi traitors as "terrorists". The "surge" has already begun. Taking the extra troops and funding for granted, the US army and their Iraqi underlings have jumped the gun. Iraqi civilians are paying the heavy price.