In Prime-Time Address, Bush Says Safety of U.S. Hinges on Iraq

President Bush used the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Monday to tell Americans that they were engaged in “a struggle for civilization” that would be determined in part by the course of the war in Iraq.

“The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad,” Mr. Bush said.

In a prime-time speech from the Oval Office, delivered after a day of solemn ceremonies, Mr. Bush sought to place the war in Iraq in the context of an epic battle between tyranny and freedom, saying the campaign against global terrorism was “the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century and the calling of our generation.”

“If we do not defeat these enemies now,” Mr. Bush said, “we will leave our children to face a Middle East overrun by terrorist states and radical dictators armed with nuclear weapons.”

The address capped a week of speeches in which Mr. Bush tried to lay out his best case for the war in Iraq by defining it as a crucial front in the war on terror, while portraying the broader struggle as a natural successor to World War II and the Cold War in defining the place of the United States in the world.

JIM RUTENBERG and SHERYL GAY STOLBERG of the New York X did a good as only the New York x's can --- NOT!!!!!

Following is what the President said .....

Live Thread: President's 9/11 Address (Update - Transcript)
White House ^ | 9/11/06 | GWB
Posted on 09/11/2006 6:01:11 PM PDT by JeanS

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1699712/posts

"Al Qaeda and other extremists from across the world have come to Iraq to stop the rise of a free society in the heart of the Middle East. They have joined the remnants of Saddam's regime and other armed groups to foment sectarian violence and drive us out. Our enemies in Iraq are tough and they are committed -- but so are Iraqi and coalition forces. We're adapting to stay ahead of the enemy, and we are carrying out a clear plan to ensure that a democratic Iraq succeeds.

We're training Iraqi troops so they can defend their nation. We're helping Iraq's unity government grow in strength and serve its people. We will not leave until this work is done. Whatever mistakes have been made in Iraq, the worst mistake would be to think that if we pulled out, the terrorists would leave us alone. They will not leave us alone. They will follow us. The safety of America depends on the outcome of the battle in the streets of Baghdad. Osama bin Laden calls this fight "the Third World War" -- and he says that victory for the terrorists in Iraq will mean America's "defeat and disgrace forever." If we yield Iraq to men like bin Laden, our enemies will be emboldened; they will gain a new safe haven; they will use Iraq's resources to fuel their extremist movement. We will not allow this to happen. America will stay in the fight. Iraq will be a free nation, and a strong ally in the war on terror.

I thought ABC's little presentation before and after the President's speech was insulting. Gibson seemed to be saying "Now all you morons out there need to know Bush said this wouldn't be political but it probably will be so watch out". I also could have sworn George Stephonapolous remarked how Bush's speech hoped to limit Republicans loses in November. Can anyone confirm that?

If things weren't going disastrously down the tubes in Iraq, there wouldn't even be a 'Battle of Baghdad' now.

In Germany during 1918, people could tell that the war was going badly, because their armies' glorious victories kept on taking place closer and closer to home.

Same thing in Iraq: instead of fighting the insurgents in the deserts of Anbar, or in Fallujah or Tal Afar, or in Mosul, Bush is trying to keep them from turning Baghdad into total chaos, as the Mahdi Army and the Badr Corps fight over Basra.

And where, exactly, are Rumsfeld and Bush going to come up with more troops from? We've got Individual Ready Reserve troops on the ground in Iraq. We've got Navy troops fighting and dying on the ground in Iraq. We're putting so much pressure on Army recruiters that they're grabbing autistic teens for the war.

The Iraq occupation is a disaster. Only Bush doesn't have the integrity to admit it yet.

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