Dean's World

It will, of course, not persuade the fascist sympathizers and the fascist apologists, nor anyone who is adamant on the view that Iraq has nothing to do with the War on Terror.

But I really think this speech should help brace anyone who's been wavering on whether what we are doing can succeed, or our commitment. There'll be some snotty comments of course--that's inevitable--but those who listened should realize now how important this battle against fascism in the Middle East is.

* Update * I just left a comment over at John Cole's, and thought it was worth reprinting here:

It was a fine speech, and the aftermath of it will be positive. Not for Bush per se--indeed, it's pointless to wonder about its affect on Bush. He's not running for President. History will judge his legacy once he's gone. There's no more need to get into stupid "this hurts him or helps him" stuff. The question is whether it helps the troops, and the war effort.

Yes, it does both. No, it says nothing he hasn't said before, except for the bit about encouraging young people to enlist and to be proud of that choice if they make it. But nothing new NEEDED to be said: we are committed, this is a just and moral cause, and the price of failure would be horrific.

It was absolutely right to hold it on prime time, and a good time to do it. As many people as possible need to see it. Unlike most of those of us who are plugged into politics in the blogosophere, everyday Americans needed reassuring. Most of them got that.

No, not the BDS-sufferers and the fascist sympathizers. Nothing will change those. But the waverers who needed bucking up got it. This is a good thing.

* Update 2 * John's got the complete transcript, by the way (just scroll down), and Ian's got the entire thing on video.

(link)

Michael Demmons (mail) (www):

I think the president's poll numbers will be up in the morning. No matter. Even if they don't doing what's right is more important than poll numbers.

6.28.2005 9:44pm

Dean Esmay:

Even if they don't doing what's right is more important than poll numbers.

Damnn right it is.

6.28.2005 9:49pm

jaymaster (mail):

I hate to admit that I fell asleep about halfway through.

6.28.2005 10:08pm

Dave Schuler (mail) (www):

Honestly, Dean, I think it was an okay speech but I wish that Bush would stick to what he's good at and avoid what he's not as good at. Bush is great at emotional and personal. He's not so good at wonkery and I thought there was a bit too much wonkish detail in the speech. I also wish there had been a more direct appeal for involvement by the American people. Referring us to a web site was good but direct appeals would have been better. Austin Bay's mom is right: we need a bond drive. Not much chance of getting movie stars to pitch them, of course. Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Patricia Heaton maybe.

6.28.2005 10:21pm

daf9:

Iraq was bad back when the USA was supporting the regime and it was still bad when Bush authorized the most recent war. But did the US invasion make things any better? Did it make it less likely that terrorists will try for another attack on the US? Personally, I don't think so.

dale

6.28.2005 11:59pm

Owen Strawn (mail):

Personally, I do think so.

6.29.2005 12:01am

Steven Malcolm Anderson (www):

I agree with everything the President said, and I agree with everything Dean said about what the President said. I support our brave soldiers 100% and I support the President exactly to the extent that he is supporting our soldiers. God bless America and victory to our heroic warriors. We must win this War.

6.29.2005 12:27am

Bryan Costin (mail) (www):

I think so too. It's not impossible that AQ or one of their allies will manage to stage another attack on the US (and I suspect that in years to come we'll discover that they've tried and failed more than once). But right now the terrorists' resources and manpower are committed to fighting the war next door, AQ's command structure has been largely dismantled, and they've been getting chewed up and spit out by the millitary at every engagement. No, I don't that international terrorist organizations are nearly as capable or as dangerous today as they were in 2001.

6.29.2005 12:30am

Scott Kirwin (mail) (www):

Missed it.
Glad to hear it came across well.

6.29.2005 1:05am