The Speech and the Media Elite

CNN reports that the President will state that the USA will not stay forever in Iraq.

Speech, Parts released by the White House, via CNN ( Adobe Reader Required ) One last throw of the dice, and the results could be with us for years.

Slate on the lack of action by the Democrats when it comes to Iraq. In essence since Vietnam they have gone so left they cant afford to be seen in the same company as Ted Kennedy, well not those those that want to run for President, and as of NOW that is half the Democratic Senate at the moment

The Washington Post on the Surge and the Costs at home and in Iraq. Very intersting, the article looks at what needs to be done in Iraq and the political backing needed at home. If you only read one link, read this link.

Speech, Aspects of the Speech on RCP

New York Times on the Speech. The Tone of the article " But the plan described by White House officials today, and by other administration officials in recent days, may fall short of what many experts inside and outside the government believe may be necessary. " If you read by Blog you now my views of NYT.

The White House
An interesting Review of Iraq by the National Security Council.

The New Policy for Iraq

The White House has released the outline for the President's Speech Tonight: Six Aspects of Policy:


1. Let the Iraqis lead;
2. Help Iraqis protect the population;
3. Isolate extremists;
4. Create space for political progress;
5. Diversify political and economic efforts; and
6. Situate the strategy in a regional approach.

On a quick read, its aspect 6 that shows how much more influence the State Department has under Condi, more of a push for regional talks, but with who is the question?