Iraq...The Speech

What can we expect Bush to say tonight? Not much! Nothing New! What is booked as a major policy speech looks more like a campaign photo op just because of it's location. Historically major policy speeches have been given from the oval office. We can't expect Bush to admit that things have perhaps not gone quite as they anticipated, not the style of this administration.
The events leading up to the speech are not helping Bush. The comments of Rumsfeld this weekend didn't help any rosy picture Bush may try to sell. The fact that the Washington Post finally discovered the Downing Street Memos the morning before this photo op won't help. An Iraqi lawmaker was killed this morning, not a part of Bush's rosy picture I'm sure. Dido for the deadly day for women soldiers a few days ago.
The biggest obstacle Bush faces is that just not as many people are drinking the Kool-Aid these days. Don't expect the war poll numbers to go up after Tuesday.

Update
Boy you know the world has been turned upside down when Ralph Nader makes an appearance on a Libertarian web site but here it is, Ralph Nader's A Guide to the President's Speech from Lew Rockwell.com. A brief summary:

When the President speaks on Tuesday night, viewers must take his words with caution – with doubt – with an ear for the false statement, phony motivation and exaggeration. Sadly, our commander in chief has made it hard for the people to trust him on the Iraq situation as shown in poll after poll. To assist viewers we provide the following guide to the realities of the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

• Making America Less Safe


• Insurgency Getting Stronger and Could Last More Than a Decade


• Death Rate in Iraq Is Mounting


• Troops Continue to Be Poorly Armed and Severely Injured


• U.S. Respect in the World Diminishing

The truth many Americans want to hear from the President, but are very unlikely to hear, is that the war and occupation of Iraq was not based on available intelligence, that our continued presence in Iraq is counterproductive to the safety of Iraqis and the United States, and that a responsible withdrawal from Iraq – of both U.S. military and corporate interests – with continued humanitarian and economic support is the most likely way to bring stability and democracy to the country. (For a more detailed withdrawal plan see www.DemocracyRising.US.) But sadly, more war talk is likely from this President and more deaths of Americans and Iraqis will be the inevitable and tragic result. Brent Skowcroft, National Security Advisor to the first President Bush along with prominent retired military, diplomatic and intelligence leaders warned this President Bush against invading Iraq in 2002–2003. They must feel like prophets.

Head over to the source for details.