I don't know if the conciliatory strategy is politically or psychologically motivated, but IMHO, he could be standing a lot firmer and taller than he is ... particularly, as you so rightly say, in behalf of our men and women fighting on the frontlines of freedom.
I didn't like the way he caved in on Katrina at all; he should have blasted the leftmedia critics as the vipers they are and laid responsibility squarely where it belongs instead of pledging billions of dollars to feel-good "programs."
Yeah it's hard to defend him on Katrinia when he gives them the "I take responsibility" sound bite.
It was so obvious who the idiots were, and it was easy for people like us to cite that information and send a lib running with his tail between his legs.
But no matter how much you defend him, and how well you do it, it's defused when the President caves.