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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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Right Wing News, Sister Toldjah, Democracy Project, Winds of Change.NET, The Huffington Post, The Reaction, CANNONFIRE, QandO, Secular Blasphemy, Flopping Aces, SevenStripes.com, Patrick Ruffini, Nitpicker, Middle Earth Journal, Wizbang, The Carpetbagger Report, One Hand Clapping, Donklephant, Andrew Sullivan and The Democratic Daily
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 …
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 — As Washington journalists debate whether to call President Bush's plan to send 20,000 more American troops into Iraq a "surge" or an "escalation," they are letting the White House get away with a much more momentous semantic scam.
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Gun Toting Liberal ™, The Mahablog, slacktivist, Liberal Values and The Democratic Daily
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 (4646) | Play (3831) Download (1874) | Play (2708) … Transcripts below the fold
Discussion:
ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES
Terence Hunt / Associated Press:
Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops
Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops
Discussion:
Shakespeare's Sister
CNN:
Bush blames failure to secure Baghdad on lack of troops
Bush blames failure to secure Baghdad on lack of troops
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Dean's World, Hullabaloo, the talking dog, Big Brass Blog, The Reaction, Blogs of War, Harry's Place and Unclaimed Territory
William M. Arkin / Early Warning:
War With Syria and Iran = Peace With Iraq?
War With Syria and Iran = Peace With Iraq?
Discussion:
LiberalOasis
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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Saul Hudson / Reuters:
Chavez sworn in for radical new term in Venezuela — CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was sworn in on Wednesday for a new six-year term that he vowed to use to press a radical socialist revolution including nationalizations that have roiled financial markets.
Media Matters for America:
Bash: Bush "very, very popular" in Montana — On the January 10 edition of CNN Newsroom, CNN congressional correspondent Dana Bash, discussing senators who have recently expressed opposition to President Bush's expected proposal to increase troop levels in Iraq, baselessly asserted that …