Wednesday, November 08, 2006

President Bush Addresses the Nation: Nov. 8, 2006

The winds of change are upon us. In a lunchtime speech to the American people, President Bush congratulated the Democrats on their "well orchestrated victories." And so it should be.

President Bush reiterated that his "first responsibility, as Chief Executive, is to protect America and that that objective will not change as result of the election."

After emphasizing the need for both parties to work together to meet "real challenges" (the economy, education, and global issues such as American independence from foreign oil), the President warned "our enemies not to take the outcome of our American democratic process as a sign of a lack of will." He also emphasized that Iraq should not despair or fear that America will abandon them, and that our own American troops should not fear that America will no longer support them.

President Bush also announced a study group, the "Iraq Study Group", under the direction of "Baker and Hamilton", that will be analyzing possible solutions for addressing the war in Iraq. Then, Bush announced the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He announced that Rumsfeld's replacement will be former CIA Director Robert Gates, who would be working very closely with the Iraq study group.

President Bush called Rumsfeld "a true patriot who has served ... with honor and distinction." Bush said that both he and Rumsfeld recognized the need for a fresh perspective on the war in Iraq at a "critical juncture."

When asked when the President knew that Secretary Rumsfeld would be stepping down and why he waited until after the election to make the announcement, President Bush said that he did not want to make this announcement "in the final stretch of the election" and send the "wrong message to American troops" that the Commander-in-chief will flip-flop on "complex military issues based on the political whims of the American people."

It appears as if Bush is ready is to embrace change in an approach to the war in Iraq. Further, with the Rumsfeld resignation he is putting that rhetoric into action and perhaps offering Democrats a symbolic "peace offering" of sorts.

Republican officials said they welcome the change in leadership in the House and look forward to seeing what Democrats will do to enact the changes they have been espousing. They also said that the current Democratic victory should help to give Republicans a better chance to win the White House in 2008, as the on-the-fence Republicans may be reluctant to give full control (House, possibly Senate, and White House) to the Democrats.

"If you want to have friends: never discuss religion and politics." What do you think?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Probably true, but then what would we talk about?