Continuing where I left off last night here are a few more comments on Mr. Bush’s speech on Iraq last night:
A Guy in Pajamas points out that a speech is not a debate and the current television approach to covering Presidential speeches isn’t balanced.
Amba of AmbivaBlog was generally favorably disposed to the speech but there were aspects that bugged her:
What does Bush mean when he says “freedom”? Freedom, of course, from the storm troopers breaking down the door, from the gulag and the extermination camp. Of course. Freedom from torture being inflicted on us . . . or in our name? Freedom to speak our minds and live our faiths. Freedom to criticize the president . . . to burn the flag??
Marc Schulman of American Future supports the speech strongly and his commentary is probably better than the speech itself.
John Cole of Balloon Juice has further reactions to the speech: uncompelling but the Democrats are playing politics—there simply must be more to them than opposing Bush.
Bithead has his own, brief highly favorable summary of Bush’s speech.
Bloggledygook responds to those who were offended by Bush’s mentions of 9/11 and those who insist he was claiming that Saddam Hussein was responsible for the attack.
Ed Morrissey of Captain’s Quarters analyzes the editorial reaction in the NY Times, LA Times, and Washington Post.
Callimachus thinks that Bush should devote more energy to preaching to someone other than the choir.
David Yeagley has the most eloquent defense of Mr. Bush’s speech I’ve read so far and urges both him and us to consider our cultural differences from the Iraqis as well as the ways in which we’re similar.
In reaction to the speech FunctionalAmbivalent has hard, realistic words that I sincerely wish Democrats would pay attention to.
Noah Millman of Gideon’s Blog, IMO one of the sanest bloggers in the blogosphere, wishes that Mr. Bush would change the subject from how we will win in Iraq to why we are in Iraq (echoing my complaint about wonkish details) and proceeds to give the speech that Bush should have given.
Harry’s Place has commentary on The Guardian’s coverage of Bush’s speech. Check out what the sane Left from the other side of the pond has to say.
