| Are you pleased with the President's speech tonight? |
| Yes |
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36% |
[ 4 ] |
| No |
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27% |
[ 3 ] |
| Somewhat |
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36% |
[ 4 ] |
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| Total Votes : 11 |
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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 Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:02 pm President Speaks from the Oval Office |
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The President is just beginning to give his first speech from the Oval Office since the start of the war. Here's the topic for it. I will be posting comments throughout it, and analysis after it.
Go Bush!
Article on the speech:
| Quote: | Bush Prepares for Oval Office Speech
Sunday, December 18, 2005
WASHINGTON � President Bush is commanding the nation's attention Sunday night by calling a prime-time television address from the Oval Office to tell Americans how much Iraq has benefited from U.S. assistance and what more lies ahead.
The 16-minute speech airing at 9 p.m. EST will give the president a large audience in which to congratulate Iraqis on a national vote last week to elect a 275-member Parliament and to give Americans a progress report in the War on Terror.
In the speech, the president is expected to emphasize the high turnout and relatively low level of violence during the election. The president will say that outcome shows that the strategy for victory in Iraq is working.
"This election will not mean the end of violence. But it is the beginning of something new: constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East. And this vote � 6,000 miles away, in a vital region of the world � means that America has an ally of growing strength in the fight against terror," the president will say, according to excerpts released by the White House.
� Watch complete coverage of the president's Oval Office speech on FOX News Channel at 9 p.m. EST.
The president is also expected to outline a way forward in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of the mission and the progress made so far. He also will remind Americans why he thinks U.S. troops should remain in that country for the time being.
"It is also important for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out of Iraq before our work is done. We would abandon our Iraqi friends � and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word. ... We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us � and the global terrorist movement would be emboldened and more dangerous than ever before," the president is expected to say.
After attending church services across the square from the White House on Sunday morning, the president had no public events scheduled, instead going through several practice runs of his speech for Sunday night.
The administration has long complained that the media often ignores positive developments in the country. In the last two weeks the president has given four major speeches on Iraq � relating to security, economy and democracy � but getting the message out has not been easy, with the speeches airing during the day mostly on cable networks.
Throughout the speeches, the president has tried to put an end to complaints by critics who say that events on the ground in Iraq are not going well. On Sunday, he will repeat that effort by saying that the coalition is winning that front in the War on Terror.
"Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that. Our military commanders do not believe that. Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifice, do not believe that America has lost. And not even the terrorists believe it. We know from their own communications that they feel a tightening noose � and fear the rise of a democratic Iraq," Bush will say.
The last time the president addressed the American people from the Oval Office was when military action began in Iraq in March 2003. The latest round of speeches do appear to be having some positive impact. A new AP-Ipsos poll found that 57 percent of Americans surveyed said the U.S. military should stay until Iraq it is stabilized.
But Democrats have argued the president's message is not resonating because it's not true. They say his insistence to stay the course is wrongheaded because the U.S. strategy has not been successful. Terrorists in Iraq this weekend pierced three days of relative calm with the killing of 19 people, including two relatives of a senior Kurdish official.
Democrats add that Bush needs to offer a new way forward during Sunday night's address.
"He needs to tell the American people how we're changing course so we have a chance at success in Iraq. The course that we are on will not lead to success because there is such political division in Iraq, in their constitution, that the Sunni Arabs are not part of national compact," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
However, the administration proudly points to Sunni Muslim participation in this election as one of the key reasons why these elections were so strategically important. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the Sunnis are going to have a voice now that they did not have after their January boycott of the election creating an interim parliament.
"They had to, in a sense ... be grandfathered into the process because they didn't have representatives in the process. They hadn't voted. Now they will have representatives in the process," Rice told "FOX News Sunday."
"I heard a Sunni leader say that he's ready to talk to anybody who's ready to talk about the future of a united Iraq. I think that is an attitude that is shared by many Shia, many Kurds and many others. And I expect that they're going to try to come to a government that is broadly representative and that can send a strong message to the insurgents that the road ahead for Iraq is a political one, not one of violence," she added.
The president is addressing the nation just after Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit that was unknown even to the Iraqi prime minister and president. After speaking with them in private meetings at the U.S. ambassador's residence in the Green Zone on Sunday, Cheney addressed the troops and repeated the administration's hope that Iraq's emerging political structure ultimately will take responsibility for its own security.
He also thanked the Marines at Al-Asad Air Base for helping to keep the supply lines moving and for training the Iraqi security forces.
"Going forward, the multinational force will continue to mentor, train and support the Iraqi security forces as they take a more prominent role in defense of their country. Gradually, Iraqi forces are taking control of more Iraqi territory," he said.
"As the ISF gains strength and experience and as the political process advances, we'll be able to decrease troop levels without losing our capacity to defeat the terrorists. And on behalf of the president, I assure you, any decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground and the judgment of our commanders, not by artificial timelines set by politicians in Washington, D.C."
While it is unknown whether the president will make any announcement on troop levels during his address, the Pentagon said on Friday that it hopes to be able to reduce U.S. troop levels back to about 138,000 by February. That's the same number of U.S. forces in Iraq before the late build-up to 160,000 ahead of the election.
Skepticism remains among some on Capitol Hill that the U.S. military can't sustain that level of force in Iraq indefinitely.
"We failed to expand the Army and Marine Corps as many of us wanted to happen a long time ago," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
But McCain told ABC's "This Week" that certain towns are being protected by Iraqis despite problems in the Iraqi forces where militias are in control and corruption persists.
"[President Bush] has to tell us how we're going to get there. The people on the ground said there is one battalion that can fight alone," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said regarding a turnover to Iraqi troops.
"What we're saying is this war, which has taken the lives of 2,200 American soldiers, is costing the American people approaching $300 billion � $2 billion a week. I think it's important, as indicated in a bipartisan amendment that passed the Senate � 79 senators said the war in Iraq must change course," said Reid on "FOX News Sunday."
Even as the president prepares his speech, some also want to know whether the War on Terror at home is worth jeopardizing the civil rights of Americans. Those charges come as Bush admitted Saturday that over the past four years, he renewed authority more than 30 times for the National Security Agency to engage in domestic surveillance without court-ordered warrants.
House and Senate Democratic leaders, and at least two Senate Republicans, called for congressional hearings and investigations. Bush said the eavesdropping was critical to saving American lives in the fight against Al Qaeda and consistent with U.S. law and the Constitution.
FOX News' Greg Kelly and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source |
Last edited by Republican_Man on Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:04 pm |
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This DEFINATELY is not worth cutting into Desperate Housewives, even if it is a repeat. Ugh. You think he could have given it like at 7 or something.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:05 pm |
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The President's SPEECH ON IRAQ isn't worth replacing Desperate Housewives? Bah.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:07 pm |
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Nah. It looks to be nearly the same thing as the one he gave a few days ago... DH is definitely more deep and socially profound.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:10 pm |
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Pfff. Most people didn't get to see the speeches from last week, so this is extra-important. It gives a chance for everyone to see him speak and give this most important speech.
It's good so far, and I'm very, very glad he's giving it.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:11 pm |
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We should buy them DVR.
Anyway, I'm sure it'll be the same old song.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:14 pm |
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| Puck wrote: | | This DEFINATELY is not worth cutting into Desperate Housewives, even if it is a repeat. Ugh. You think he could have given it like at 7 or something. |
WORD. Yeah, anyways, at least he said "As your president, this war is my responsibility" or something along those lines, I was like "damn straight, mutha."
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:29 pm |
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In the words of my dad, who didn't get to hear the past speeches, "It was very good."
It was a very good speech, yes. It was quite great. I am very glad he gave it. With the negative press of the war in the media, and de-focus on the Iraq War as well and attacks on him, he REALLY needed to give it. He should give a speech like this continuously, and have been given one continuously throughout the war. He'll probably give these speaches more and more consistently, as necessary, reinforcing his policy, and he should. As planned, I think he should give one of these speaches every six weeks. I'm very glad he did this, and I hope even those against the US going to war take his words to light, accept them, and agree with the premise--that this is a difficult war and the choices are either victory or defeat, and victory is our only option. That we have to stay the course. It was a very good speech, and I'm thrilled he gave it. Finally, he gave a prime-time speech on Iraq. It's a little late, but at least he gave it. I hope he continues to do this. Bush is a good leader. Bush is an excellent leader. This speech shows it even more. He is steadfast and principalled, and whether you agree with it or not, you can respect him for that.
We're there now, and we are fighting the terrorists--we can't end it. That was his main message, and he reached out to his critics in his speech. I thought that was very good of him, and I hope those opposed to the war can take his extremely responsible speech, which appeared to the nobility of the cause, to heart, and at least concur that we have to stay the course and do our best to receive victory.
Oberon, Starbuck--he spoke directly to you guys. Imploring you to stop a defeatist position and to support our effort, considering that we're there and must have victory. Not going to war--no, you can have honest disagreements with that--but with staying the course until victory is achieved.
This was a very good speech, and I'm overly glad he gave it. He made some of his best statements yet in it. I just hope he reinforces his policy and position continuously, throughout the new year.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:35 pm |
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In the words of my Dad, "who the hell wants to watch this *beep* tonight?"
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:39 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | | In the words of my Dad, "who the hell wants to watch this *beep* tonight?" |
Ah. Now that sounds like the real voice of the people! 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:49 pm |
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I disagree. I think that most people, while they may prefer watching whatever it is they were planning to watch tonight, weren't unhappy to see the speech. But even if you didn't want to see it, that doesn't change the fact that it was necessary, good, and right to give.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:50 pm |
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So interrupt the nightly news. It's the holidays. Let us enjoy it.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:58 pm |
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I don't get why you're so upset about this. It was planned days in advance in the first place. It's not like today they came out and said, "We're giving this speech." No. It's the perfect time to do it, too, because people are able to watch it and are sitting down and stuff. Nightly newscasts are predominantly watched by the more elderly in society--not your average American. That's why they've been failing, particularly to cable news.
It was the right time to do it, the right thing to do, and I'm quite convinced helped his cause and helped the American people to know it better. I mean, it was a good speech. It wasn't like it was a horrible speech given.
I think we should move beyond the fact that he gave the speech at the time he did and move on to discussing the speech itself.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:02 pm |
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Well, this is apparently "the" speech topic. I suppose it's all fair game, as long as we are... on topic.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:02 pm |
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I never said it was off topic. I was saying that it's annoying have you complain about the fact that he gave the speech when it did and not talking about the substance, or the purpose.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:04 pm |
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Well, if you say so. But that's more of an opinion, so it doesn't matter... But sure, I didn't watch it, wasn't interested in watching it, and the only way I would have watched it is if I didn't know that DH was a repeat, in which case I would have sat down to watch DH, and then been severely dissapointed and distressed to have him on the screen, instead of Bree van de Kamp. Ya know? My sentence structure is truly revolutionary, so don't comment,
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:06 pm |
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And I think it's annoying to interrupt my Sunday night.
I mean, CSI Miami is on tomoz, and that's so ick, perfect primetime spot.
Anyway, did he say anything that will change any minds? Probs not. And not because of him, either, because people are close-minded.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled program which is already in progress.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:06 pm |
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I thought it was a decent speech. However, why didn't he give it two years ago? Why did he wait until his ratings were so low that it's not going to do him much good?
Decent speech, aweful timing. He's trying to use it as a lifeboat. And it's not working.
I apreciate that he's taking responsibility. But why didn't he take responsibility before this?
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:07 pm |
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He did, a few days ago.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:09 pm |
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But that was still after his ratings tanked.
If his ratings hadn't been this bad, if they were at 50%, whould he admit he was wrong? Probably not. I think he's just trying to save his own skin. If this had been a year and half ago he may have come off as being a little more heroic or something instead of pathetic.
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:11 pm |
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Oh, maybe. I guess you'll have to write a letter to ask.
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:48 pm |
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| TrekkieMage wrote: | I thought it was a decent speech. However, why didn't he give it two years ago? Why did he wait until his ratings were so low that it's not going to do him much good?
Decent speech, aweful timing. He's trying to use it as a lifeboat. And it's not working.
I apreciate that he's taking responsibility. But why didn't he take responsibility before this? |
I don't think the timing was aweful, but I do agree that he should have given speeches like this periodically, as I said before. He was right to give it now, the Sunday after the election, but I do submit to you that you are correct in him having to give speeches like this before. It was late, but it was still good of him to do, and fine timing.
He took responsibility in the past, but I don't think it was that big of a deal that he didn't in prime-time until now. I just don't. It was good of him to admit his mistake, though.
And yes, Theresa, I do happen to think it changed people's minds, giving them a better perspective and him REACHING OUT to his critics. He needed to give it, to counter the anti-war media bias.
And finally, actually, Trekkie, it does him a lot more good than before. His approval ratings have gone up--or at least opinions of Iraq have--since he began consistently giving speeches, and this one, in prime-time and getting Oval Office coverage, did him one better. So, yeah, it helps him.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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oberon
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 106
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:27 pm |
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Yeah.. what a great war. How much money has it wasted? How many lives have been lost? And calling it a vital region isn't exactly subtle of him. Oil is the name of the game I suppose. Bush really has no shame. I guess the American people will have to withstand the shame that he has so plentifully brought upon us. Does he live in his own little world or something? I've been wondering lately, can he read? I just don't understand how he can honestly say that the war in Iraq has been a good thing. Isn't pride one of the seven deadly sins? Do you ever wonder if he's sincere or just trying to cover his own ass?  Yeah great speach president *beep*.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:28 pm |
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So I'm guessing you didn't like the speech.
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:28 pm |
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Somebody's at the top of their game, today,
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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