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Drudge Report:
EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY: ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION — Good evening. Tonight in Iraq, the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged in a struggle that will determine the direction of the global war on terror - and our safety here at home.
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Jonathan Karl / ABCNEWS:
Troop Surge Already Under Way — 90 Advance Troops from 82nd Airborne Arrive in Baghdad — President Bush's speech may be scheduled for tonight, but the troop surge in Iraq is already under way. — ABC News has learned that the "surge" Bush is expected to announce in a prime time speech tonight has already begun.
White House:
The President's New Iraq Strategy Is Rooted In Six Fundamental Elements: — Create space for political progress; — Diversify political and economic efforts; and — Iraq Could Not Be Graver - The War On Terror Cannot Be Won If We Fail In Iraq. Our enemies throughout the Middle East are trying to defeat us in Iraq.
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New York Times:
Promising Troops Where They Aren't Really Wanted — As President Bush challenges public opinion at home by committing more American troops, he is confronted by a paradox: an Iraqi government that does not really want them. — The Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki …
Howard Fineman / Newsweek:
A Crisis of Confidence — Bush's way forward may be sensible. But his face showed fear—and that's no way to rally a war-weary nation. — George W. Bush spoke with all the confidence of a perp in a police lineup. I first interviewed the guy in 1987 and began covering his political rise in 1993 …
Associated Press:
Iraq PM cracks down in Shiite militiamen — BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's prime minister has told Shiite militiamen to surrender their weapons or face an all-out assault, part of a commitment U.S. President George W. Bush outlined to bring violence under control with a more aggressive Iraqi Army and 21,500 additional American troops.
John Amato / Crooks and Liars:
Olbermann: A Look Backward at the Commander's Credibility — Keith Olberman reviews the lack of credibility that has permeated the Commander in Chief on Iraq. — Download (5770) | Play (4763) Download (2289) | Play (3283) … Transcripts below the fold
Discussion:
ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Bush's surge speech; Update: Hillary opposes surge; Update: House Dems scramble to block surge funds — Here are the highlights. "It is fair to hold our views up to scrutiny. And all involved have a responsibility to explain how the path they propose would be more likely to succeed."
Captain Ed / Captain's Quarters:
Bush Speech Live Blog — I will live-blog the President's speech, which starts as 8 pm CT, at this link. — 7:32 PM CT - I will appear on CHQR's The World Tonight with Rob Breakenridge at 8:40 pm CT. We'll be discussing the speech and its implications.
Dan Froomkin / Washington Post:A Change in Tactics, Not Strategy
Discussion:
Gun Toting Liberal ™, The Mahablog, slacktivist, Liberal Values and The Democratic Daily
CNN:Bush blames failure to secure Baghdad on lack of troops
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Dean's World, Blogs of War, Hullabaloo, the talking dog, Big Brass Blog, Harry's Place, The Reaction and Unclaimed Territory
Avi Issacharoff / Reuters:
Hamas denies Meshal said group would recognize Israel — Hamas denied Wednesday that its Damascus-based political leader Khaled Meshal told Reuters in an interview that his group would consider recognizing Israel once a Palestinian state is established. (Click here for the full interview)
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Bryan / Hot Air:
On Patrol in Baghdad; Update: Photos posted at Michelle's site — Michelle and I are embedded with a unit in Baghdad that's responsible for the "standing up" part of the US plan to get Iraq ready to become master of its own destiny. This unit trains Iraqi army and police …
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Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit.com:
The Glenn and Helen Show: Mitt Romney on the War, the Campaign and the Future — Mitt Romney has officially declared his interest in the 2008 Presidential election. In this interview, he responds to a controversial YouTube video about his positions on abortion and other social issues …
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Terence Hunt / Associated Press:
Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops — WASHINGTON - President Bush acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that he erred by not ordering a military buildup in Iraq last year and said he was increasing U.S. troops by 21,500 to quell the country's near-anarchy.
Discussion:
Shakespeare's Sister
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San Francisco Chronicle:
MATIER AND ROSS — New Year's nightmare for visiting Yale singers — How's this for an only-in-San Francisco story: — Members of the Baker's Dozen, the renowned, all-male a cappella singing group from Yale, are pummeled outside a New Year's Eve party after singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."
RADAR:
DLC TAPS HAROLD FORD AS NEXT CHAIR — Young, black, and good-looking, Harold Ford is the kind of comer that the Democratic Party latches onto. But last November, after losing the closest Senate race in Tennessee history to Republican Bob Corker, the 10-year congressman suddenly found himself out of a job.
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