Thoughts on the Presidential Address…

I thought that this was probably the President’s best speech in a while.
I know, I know…that’s not saying a lot really. Sitting behind a desk is not how he delivers his best stuff. He’s not an orator. This was a speech, though, that sounded a little differently. I thought he probably gave his best speech on Iraq tonight, although I suspect it was delivered about a year too late. The worst part about the speech was probably the timing. Why now? Why this time of year? To what end?
And by timing I also mean that I can hear all of the fans of “Desperate Housewives” now because their favorite show experienced a delayed start as a result.
The central theme for this speech was probably “Why We’re Not Pulling Out of Iraq.” This speech was straightforward, honest and sincere. Approximately 14 minutes in length, he asked for patience and stressed that “we will continue to listen to criticism.”
Watching the reaction on NBC now, and there’s a live shot with Kelly O’Donnell and, in the background, you can hear protesting going on outside the White House. NBC estimated there were about fifty protestors. There were more people than that in line at Walmart today when I went shopping, I think.
Those protestors would be upset, though. There were no apologies and the President directly addressed each criticism the Left has thrown at him.
Addressing the entry into Iraq and the lack of WMD:

It is true that Saddam Hussein had a history of pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction. It is true that he systematically concealed those programs, and blocked the work of UN weapons inspectors. It is true that many nations believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. But much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. And as your president, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq.
Yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power. He was given an ultimatum — and he made his choice for war. And the result of that war was to rid the world of a murderous dictator who menaced his people, invaded his neighbors, and declared America to be his enemy. Saddam Hussein, captured and jailed, is still the same raging tyrant — only now without a throne. His power to harm a single man, woman, or child is gone forever. And the world is better for it.

The President also spoke directly to those who oppose the war in Iraq:

Yet there is a difference between honest critics who recognize what is wrong, and defeatists who refuse to see that anything is right.
Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified by the facts. For every scene of destruction in Iraq, there are more scenes of rebuilding and hope. For every life lost, there are countless more lives reclaimed. And for every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many more Iraqis and Americans working to defeat them. My fellow citizens: not only can we win the war in Iraq — we are winning the war in Iraq.

He continued:

I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq: I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt.
Yet now there are only two options before our country — victory or defeat. And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance. I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request: do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom.

So, the speech on a 10 scale was probably about a 7 for him, with points for delivery. The speech, while good, wasn’t necessarily remarkable. The Republicans will love it, the Lefties will hate it.
But then again, they hate everything, so why should this be an exception.
William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com