Top Items:
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.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Associated Press, Informed Comment, Guardian, The American Street, PoliBlog (TM), Matthew Yglesias, Don Surber, Outside The Beltway, Redstate, A Blog For All, PoliPundit.com, The Swamp, The Democratic Daily, Blogcritics Section, Blue Crab Boulevard, The American Mind, Wizbang, Tammy Bruce, Daily Kos, Iowa Voice, Blogs for Bush, Macsmind, Doug Ross, Left I on the News, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, Instapundit.com, Daily Pundit, Daimnation!, BlueOregon, Unqualified Offerings, Reason Magazine and State of the Day
RELATED:
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Right Wing News, Winds of Change.NET, QandO, Democracy Project, The Reaction, The Huffington Post, CANNONFIRE, Secular Blasphemy, Flopping Aces, Nitpicker, Patrick Ruffini, SevenStripes.com, Wizbang, The Heretik, Middle Earth Journal, The Carpetbagger Report, One Hand Clapping, Donklephant, The Democratic Daily and Andrew Sullivan
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.
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 …
William M. Arkin / Early Warning:
War With Syria and Iran = Peace With Iraq? — Seek out and destroy. — If there's anything in the President Bush's remarks tonight that we didn't already know or didn't anticipate him saying militarily about Iraq, it is his evident willingness to go to war with Syria and Iran to seek peace.
Terence Hunt / Associated Press:Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops
Discussion:
Shakespeare's Sister
Dan Froomkin / Washington Post:A Change in Tactics, Not Strategy
Discussion:
Gun Toting Liberal ™, The Mahablog, slacktivist, Liberal Values, Citizens Blogging … and The Democratic Daily
CNN:Bush blames failure to secure Baghdad on lack of troops
Discussion:
Dean's World, Blogs of War, Hullabaloo, Big Brass Blog, Harry's Place, the talking dog, The Reaction and Unclaimed Territory
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 …
RELATED:
Michelle Malkin:
In the slums of Baghdad — My Hot Air colleague Bryan Preston and I have been in Iraq, embedded with an incredibly dedicated Army unit in Baghdad tasked with training Iraqi security forces (both Shia and Sunni) conducting counterinsurgency operations, and carrying out civil affairs work.
Washington Post:
Democrats Aim to Block Funds for Plan — Senior House Democrats said yesterday that they will attempt to derail funding for President Bush's proposal to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, setting up what could become the most significant confrontation between the White House and Congress …
RELATED:
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)
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Hot Air, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog, ElephantBiz, Power Line, Ace of Spades HQ, BuzzMachine and Captain's Quarters
Hugh Hewitt / Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog:
"Noble and Necessary" — President Bush was at his best tonight: serious, detailed, and above all, resolute. He spoke to many audiences. — To the public weary and grieved by the death of many of the finest Americans, the president spoke of the crucial issue: "For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq."
RELATED:
Memri Latest Blogs:
Salahaldin Al-Ayoubi Brigades Claim To Have Launched Missiles Loaded With Chemicals — Read MEMRI's Latest Reports on the Islamist Website Monitor Project — The Al-Gama'a Al-Islamiyya Cessation of Violence: An Ideological Reversal — 'Committee of Women's Petition' President to British House of Lords …
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.
Discussion:
Daily Kos
Alan Sipress / Washington Post:
Too Casual To Sit on Press Row? — Bloggers' Credentials Boosted With Seats at the Libby Trial — When the trial of Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice opens next week, scores of journalists are expected to throng the federal courtroom …
Output Producer, CA — 
China Markets Correspondent, Shanghai — 
Senior Assignment Editor, DC — 
Breaking News Editor, Tokyo — 
Senior Correspondent - Wealth, NY — 
Reporter - Ottawa Bureau — 
Local Government Reporter, IA — 
Research Director, CA — 
Immigration Enforcement Reporter — 
Presque Island Reporter, ME — 
Contributing Parks Ed. - SW, CA — 
AI Content Editor, WA — 
Legislative Reporter, TN — 
Editorial Assistant, Remote US — 
Elon Musk Reporter, NY or CA — 
Government & Politics Editor, WA — 
Business & GA Reporter. VT — 
Sports Reporter, WA — 
Energy Reporter, TX — 
Senior Reporter, SC — 
Trade & Climate Correspondent, DC — 
Reporter, WI — 
Political Newsletter Writer, CO — 
Jackson Reporter, MS — 
Music Editor, AZ — 
Breaking News Reporter, NV — 
Fearless Reporter/Producer, IA — 
Reporter II - Technology, Remote — 
Editor, Remote US — 
City Reporter, WA — 
Executive Editor, OR — 
Education & Budget Reporter, CA — 
Senior Writer/Editor, FL — 
Media Editor, Remote — 
