The Speech

My evaluation: Good speech. We need more speeches like this from the President, Mr. Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld and other leaders. I feel the administration hasn't, up to this point, articulated our national strategy clearly, and more importantly, often enough. I also believe the President was speaking directly to the military with this speech, and as a former military member, I approve. Were I still on active duty I would be motivated.

The White House web site has not, at this moment, provided the full text of the speech. The site has, however, provided a strategy document referenced in the post below.

Highlights. The President:

1. Unequivocally rejected the notion of a "timetable for withdrawal." This is good. His words included the premise (not a direct quote) that withdrawal will be based on conditions "on the ground in Iraq, not by artificial timetables set by politicians."
2. Acknowledged (tacitly) mistakes had been made and our tactics in Iraq are changing, based on lessons-learned. He described our tactics as "flexible and dynamic."
3. Provided examples of progress made by Iraqi forces, e.g., "30 Iraqi battalions are in control of Iraqi territory."
4. Pledged the US "will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins as long as I'm the Commander in Chief."
5. Acknowledged the current debate on the war and stated "we should not fear debate - debate is a great strength of our democracy."
6. Drew parallels between our victories in WW II and the Cold War to victory in Iraq.
7. Defined "victory." See the White House web site.
8. Quoted Joe Lieberman (did you think he wouldn't?) on Iraq. Lieberman wrote an editorial in the WSJ yesterday. Lieberman's editorial is good and should be read.

I'm watching the Democrats' response to the speech right now. Senator Kerry* opens with a snarky comment about how Bush's speech, given the backdrop of the Naval Academy, is "reminiscent" of a "certain 'Mission Accomplished' speech given on the deck of an aircraft carrier" and goes on to say the President "always speaks in front of the troops." My reaction? Best categorized as "STFU, Kerry." It's the same ol', same ol'. Kerry is now taking questions. Doubtless there will be a transcript of this krep published somewhere. I'll link it later.

*(that haughty, French-looking politician, who, by the way, also served in Viet Nam)

Update 1: Full text of today's speech here.

Update 2: News report on Democratic response to the speech here. Summary of Democrats' carping: "More of the same." Uh, here's a news flash for Kerry, Pelosi, et al: You keep asking the same questions and expect different answers. That's pretty damned close to "stuck on stupid" in my book.