Like a lot of Americans I’ll be tuned in when President Bush gives his scheduled speech about Iraq tonight. He’s certainly getting a lot of advice about what to say. Former (and presumably present) presidential candidate John Kerry weighed in today from the editorial page of the New York Times.
I wish he’d give a Churchillian speech eloquently emphasizing determination, commitment to our ideals, and shared sacrifice. Chester expressed similar thoughts last week and I think you’d be better off taking a look at his advice than looking at Mr. Kerry’s.
President Bush won’t do that, of course. But I can dream.
UPDATE: I couldn’t find much live-blogging of the speech. Ed Morrisey of Captain’s Quarter did live-blog. I’ll aggregate commentary as I locate it. My impression was that this was an “on-message” speech and the message was “finish the mission”. Too much wonkery (which Bush does not do well), not enough emotion (which Bush does pretty well). And the moves towards involving the American people were pretty phlegmatic.
Text of the speech is here.
Dean has words.
Bloggledygook live-blogged and had a generally favorable impression.
Donald Sensing was underwhelmed.
Smash live-blogged and, er, liked the speech a lot.
Democracy Arsenal has a scorecard for the speech and, by my count, gives it an overall C- or D.
I see that Bill of INDC Journal agrees with my assessment of how the speech could have (and IMO should have) been better.
Tom Maguire of JustOneMinute suggests that if Nancy Pelosi speaks in prime time in opposition to Bush much more his numbers could get much, much better.
Newly-engaged James Joyner has learned that relationships are hard work: he missed the speech attending an after-work function with his fiancee. He does have a link round-up, though (mostly the same as above).
Joe Gandelman makes a good case that the imagery of the speech was flawed: it should have been delivered from the Oval Office.
Kevin Drum thought the speech was dull.
This reaction from Running Scared is typical for the left side of the blogosphere possibly mild: same old, same old. Most didn’t watch it.
South Knox Bubba did watch and has a highly critical commentary.
So does Billmon. I think his assessment of the political impact is about right: the speech will move Bush’s approval rating towards favorable a point or two for a while but, otherwise, little has been changed.
Walter Shapiro gives the speech a C- for rhetoric.
California Conservative has his own link round-up.
That’s all for tonight, folks. I may tack a few more on here tomorrow morning.
Walter Shapiro’s critique of the President’s speech was spot on. Excellent! Thanks for the link, Dave.
Greetings, Dave! GREAT roundup. As you know, I normally go into my addiction mode and read every blog I can and do a long roundup. However, if you saw the site recently or tried to link the Paul Winchell post, there are some server problems. So unlike in the past I’m not doing a roundup — or any post at all — until the morning. I’ve been asked not to post anymore tonight (hey: maybe they read what I posted!)
Dave, I wholeheartedly agree that Bush should have done more to engage the American people. It’s not just our soldiers’ war — it’s our war.