‘It’s Time to Turn the Page’

In televised remarks tonight, President Barack Obama took a primetime moment to announce the draw-down of American combat operations in Iraq and to encourage the American public to “turn the page” to move on to other priorities.

Praising U.S. troops and their successful mission, Obama stopped short of declaring victory in Iraq, instead reminding the audience that there was still work to be done:

At every turn, America’s men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am proud of their service. Like all Americans, I am awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families.

The Americans who have served in Iraq completed every mission they were given. They defeated a regime that had terrorized its people. Together with Iraqis and coalition partners who made huge sacrifices of their own, our troops fought block by block to help Iraq seize the chance for a better future. They shifted tactics to protect the Iraqi people; trained Iraqi Security Forces; and took out terrorist leaders. Because of our troops and civilians –and because of the resilience of the Iraqi people – Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.

So tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.

Leading up to the speech, many people (including myself) wondered whether Obama would give credit to former President George W. Bush for the withdrawal agreement with Iraq and/or the successful troop surge then-Sen. Obama opposed.  Obama alluded to Bush, but once again stopped short before laying out praise for the former president’s war strategy:

I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future.

Obama’s remarks were strikingly underwhelming and seemed surprisingly disorganized.  After not declaring “mission accomplished” in Iraq, the president went on to points about the war in Afghanistan, global trade, our domestic economy, budget deficits and veterans using Iraq as a common thread trying to link them all together.  At one point, Obama suggested the Iraq war was partially to blame for the ongoing economic recession here at home:

Unfortunately, over the last decade, we have not done what is necessary to shore up the foundation of our own prosperity. We have spent over a trillion dollars at war, often financed by borrowing from overseas. This, in turn, has short-changed investments in our own people, and contributed to record deficits. For too long, we have put off tough decisions on everything from our manufacturing base to our energy policy to education reform. As a result, too many middle class families find themselves working harder for less, while our nation’s long-term competitiveness is put at risk.

And that the Iraq war has kept him from maintaining his focus on pivotal issues facing the country:

[A]s we wind down the war in Iraq, we must tackle those challenges at home with as much energy, and grit, and sense of common purpose as our men and women in uniform who have served abroad. They have met every test that they faced. Now, it is our turn. Now, it is our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for –the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it.

Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy. We must jumpstart industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President.

In the end, I think conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer‘s analysis of the speech was right on the money.  ”I thought the speech was both flat and odd,” Krauthammer told Fox News following President Obama’s address on Iraq.  ”The economic stuff [in the speech], I think, really shows that his heart is not in these missions abroad, but is in changing America at home.”

Comments (70)

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  • rboucher
    Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:04am

    As I read some of the responses I find it them irrelevant to the discussion. Calling the President names or lambasting him is of no value and in fact degrades our standing in the discussion. Facts – reasoned arguments – Faith Hope Charity. These right the ship, these move the discussion forward.

    Report Post »  
  • Ccbn213
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:51pm

    Personally, it felt to me like it did when the troops came home from Nam. He appeared as if he was ashamed of the entire mess. Must be time to go bow down to some more of his friends. And why sneak the troops out in the middle of the night? What’s up with that?

    Report Post »  
  • Darren
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:42pm

    “I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future.”

    Was that supposed to be a compliment to Bush?

    Report Post » Darren  
    • Sefton
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:34am

      “It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset…As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it.”

      It‘s not in Maobama’s genes to give anyone else credit or praise that he can’t steal for himself.
      The above excerpt shows all he was saying: “I wasn’t wrong, I was a patriot.”

      Report Post » Sefton  
  • Citizen
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:32pm

    Hold him to his word that its time to turn the page. I think the venom from the left has been incredible lately and I think everyone needs to turn the page and stop demonizing everyone.

    Lets be civil and try to discuss these things life our lives depend on it. We all want peace and prosperity so lets start from those basics.

    Report Post »  
  • stacila
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:24pm

    So does this mean Olbermann can start a new count tomorrow of “Days since BHO declared the war over”?

    Report Post »  
  • Silversmith
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:20pm

    Ever play Risk?

    Sure seems like this is the time for Iran to invade. That is if they don’t nuke Israel first.

    Silversmith

    Report Post » Silversmith  
  • el kabongg
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:19pm

    i LOVE translating this stuff into english. for instance, the line about “time to unleash American innovation.“ that really means ”time to apply force to the innovators to get to innovating WITHOUT promise of reward or profit. now is STILL not that time.”

    Report Post »  
  • rmitchell
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:14pm

    Now that we’re past 8.28 ( and I did appreciate this event ) lets get back to challenging this Presidents leading us down a pathway we as Americans are not genetically capable of doing…participating in socialism

    Report Post »  
  • rhet 2
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:04pm

    Krauthammer‘s one of the sharpest analysts we’ve got, IMHO.

    About Iraq, I’ve got some major problems:
    1) we still have 50, 000 troops in theater — and still more headed that way
    2) some of the troops I send goodies to tell me they’re getting reports of increasing violence and AQ entering Iraq
    3) if true, with the draw down in troop numbers, those still there and those heading over in the next few weeks are in even greater danger than ever

    This seems to me a recipe for US troop deaths in huge numbers — and I’m not happy at all — why, if we’re going to abandon the effort and “turn the page,” do we have a SINGLE TROOP still in harm’s way?

    Especially when, if those troops are NOT in Iraq, they COULD be on the southern border dealing with an even more direct crisis

    – or is that one of those “pages” the self-glorifying CARELESS IRRESPONSIBLE little twit is not willing to turn — because his name isn’t written in glorious gold letters at the top of that southern border security issue?

    Report Post »  
  • JamesonLewis3rd
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:01pm

    Bob Seeger

    Report Post » JamesonLewis3rd  
  • libertarianlimey
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:56pm

    I can’t even watch this empty suit anymore. He stands there with his legs open, the wind blows up his arse and his tongue thrashes all over the place. Please God, flush the toilet that is Washington DC and this adminisration.

     
  • Gary_K
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:53pm

    We will turn the page in November and finish this chapter in 2012.

    The socialists and progressives are on the run.

    Report Post »  
  • Extinguisher
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:38pm

    How can he call it mission accomplished when the original mission involved WMD’s? I think some forget WHY we went into Iraq in the first place. Besides, Bush declared Mission Accomplished in 2003. Why should he repeat something that’s been accomplished for the past 7 years?

    Report Post »  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:22pm

      I never have been able to figure out why no one pointed out the convoy of trucks caught on satellite that was going into Syria for weeks prior to the invasion. If you want to know where the WMDs are, they’re in Syria – no doubt!

      Report Post »  
  • vze3j448
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:35pm

    Watching that speech tonight made me even more proud than ever that I voted for Barack Obama and that he is our President! He came into a horrible situation and has handled the job (although with many stumbles) fabulously and with great dignity! This war should have never been started…and thankfully now it is over!

    Report Post »  
    • Gunner
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:50pm

      And if we had listened to DUFUS ?????

      Report Post »  
    • libertarianlimey
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:57pm

      Do you do stand up at other venues?

      Report Post »  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:18pm

      OK, thanks Keith. Now go do your show that no one will watch.

      Report Post »  
    • KnightErrantJR
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:24pm

      The problem is, whether we should have gone over or not, once we were there, we needed to treat the situation seriously, pacify the threats, and shore up the country for when we left. The feeling I always got from certain politicians amounted to giving up and allowing our troops to be killed until the public was upset enough to finally pull out.

      I’ll be honest. I don’t think we should have gone to Iraq. I don’t think Bush had any sinister intent in doing so, but I do think that the idea of making a pre-emptive example of a known bad actor in the region was more important than the actual threat that was detailed to the public, but I don’t think it was a “war for oil,“ or even to ”get even” for George H W Bush.

      I think we made strategic mistakes. I think we tried experimental strategy. I think all of that was wrong, but once we were there, and there were obvious bad guys in front of us, we had to take care of them. Once we committed, right or wrong, we had to do the job, including stabilizing the country. It was our responsibility at that point.

      There were a lot of politicians, President Obama among them, that were waiting for the situation to become so dire that they could rally the public behind retreat, despite the fact that that tactic would mean many lives being lost, both among our troops and the civilians of Iraq. It was painfully obvious that he didn‘t want the surge because so many political enemies were ready to hang a failure around Bush’s neck, thus allowing them to campaign on the tragedy.

      I think, even now, we’re too quick to call this situation fixed. I think Bush made a mistake in bowing to political pressure to set up an Iraqi government that isn’t really ready run the country, and the only chance that the government of Iraq really has is to have our support as they attempt to stand on their own two feet.

      Report Post »  
    • StopTheMadness
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:29pm

      @vze3j448: I really hope your being sarcastic. Do you really think it’s over? I’m happy your sticking to your decision to vote for the man, and I’m even more happy that I cannot make the same claim. As far as the situation in iraq being over, it’s far from over. BO just wishes for the american people to stop focusing on it. Try telling that to a family with relatives over there. Before you respond to this, answer one question. How many military installations does the U.S. have in europe and when did each of them first open?

      Report Post »  
    • Johnnybravo
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:35pm

      So tell me again just what this president did in Iraq? That‘s right he was smart enough to keep bush’s plan in place, good for him. But i tell you this he pulled our troops out just to please his base, that would be you that i am talking about, he’s poll numbers are dropping so he had to do something. A premature pull out could cost many Iraq lives the, that blood will be on his hands and yours, but am sure you dont really care about that do you?

      Report Post »  
  • EWRoss
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:34pm

    “L’audace, l’audace, toujours l’audace!

    Report Post » EWRoss  
  • JoshS
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:34pm

    If he thinks saying it’s over makes it over, we are in some big trouble. The people in Iraq are about to have some major problems if he feels we can just walk away.

    Report Post »  
    • Extinguisher
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:40pm

      We can’t hold their hands forever. If they want a different life, they’re going to have to make it themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:13pm

      This is a pretty difficult call. It is true that we can’t stay there forever but I agree with Glenn. If we’re going to go we should go full force and then come home only when its done. I’m not sure its really done. If the Iraqi government isn’t fully prepared and ready to repel the onslaught they are about to face then we will either be right back over there or we will be watching a bloodbath on the evening news.

      Report Post »  
  • armymarinemom
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:28pm

    I will never forget Obama opposing the surge while I had a son in Iraq at the time. Our family had very bad feelings for those who opposed sending in enough troops to complete the mission with honor. Not being about to forget, I remind others about his bad judgment every chance I get.

    Report Post » armymarinemom  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:09pm

      We pray for our troops every day and thank God for those families that have given so much for the security of our Country. I only pray that we will have a President that will give them the honor they are due.

      Report Post »  
    • KnightErrantJR
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:11pm

      My wife and I still have a son in Afghanistan. I worry about those few thousand extra troops that he felt he had to haggle down when he finally decided to send additional troops, and I worry about the greater priority placed on public relations than on actually ending the threats in the region.

       
    • ybnrml
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:21am

      Not only do we need to honor our military, we need to change the ROE’s or bring the troops home.

      Report Post »  
  • spendthrift
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:28pm

    WOW, I THANK GOD FOR GLENN. THANKS A MILLION FOR YOUR WEBSITE. NO MORE MEDIA OTHER THAN FOX AND THIS. GLENN IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

    Report Post » spendthrift  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:07pm

      Stu, is that you?

       
  • EZBurns
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:25pm

    Someone compared his speech to Carter’s “Malaise” speech. It for sure wasn’t one of his more energetic or even thought out.

    Report Post »  
    • Sefton
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:11am

      Convoluted sums it up.
      His speeches sound like segment pieces from different writers trying to out-melodrama each other. Typical symbolism over substance from the left.

      Report Post » Sefton  
  • seanhodges
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:25pm

    He really is talented talking out of both sides of his mouth! “Now, it is our responsibility to honor them by coming together, all of us, and working to secure the dream that so many generations have fought for –the dream that a better life awaits anyone who is willing to work for it and reach for it”. How will this work when he and his congress wants to confiscate all the wealth obtained from our hard work and give it away?

    Report Post »  
  • Zcat
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:23pm

    From what i’ve read and heard of the speech, its just as i suspected a total waste of time! O‘m thankful i didn’t waste my time!

     
  • Cravingtruth
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:20pm

    The President’s speech gave the impression that he was glad to be rid of the distraction Iraq has been and anxious to proceed with his domestic agenda, i.e. green energy and green jobs, ending our dependence on foreign oil yet with no mention of ending the drilling moratorium in the gulf that is costing thousands of jobs.

    Report Post »  
  • Cynewulf
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:19pm

    ”The economic stuff [in the speech], I think, really shows that his heart is not in these missions abroad, but is in changing America at home.”

    Bingo.

    Report Post »  
    • PreacherNorm
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 11:04pm

      Krauthammer always has a great way of putting things. BO has never shown any passion or devotion toward the troops. How do they think it makes our troops feel to see their “Commander and Chief” being more sympathetic toward their enemies than he is toward them? 8/28 did a lot to honor our troops and BO said he didn’t even watch it. I know I wouldn’t want to serve under him.

       
    • ybnrml
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:20am

      Preachernorm – accidently hit the report post instead of reply. Hope it doesn’t cause you any problems.
      Obama’s attitude towards the troop is so wrong. When Clinton was elected, a friend of mine retired because she couldn’t serve under him.

      Report Post »  
  • Philo Beddoe
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:15pm

    As usual, the only thing moving on barky was his mouth. His cheeks didn’t even pucker, I don’t even think the child blinked.

    He sure does whistle alot when he pronounces his S’s

    Philo Beddoe  
  • Stoutcat
    Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:08pm

    One sure sign of a good Presidential speech is if I tear up while listening. An even better sign is if the President at least appears to tear up… Neither of which happened this evening.

    It was a typical Obama speech; even with the ‘prompter, he was dull, stilted, and frankly, rather annoying.

    Report Post »  
    • C_Era
      Posted on August 31, 2010 at 10:35pm

      Ok, so it wasn’t just me that thought that he sounded like a robot.

      Report Post »  
    • Jim814
      Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:10am

      Yes Super-whatever you call yourself, a good speech is one that is not only factual, but one that affects the intended audiance on core gutteral level. MLK I have a dream is one such speech, JFK ask not what you country can do for you is another. BO I have a victory speech is one that should be very upbeat, and in fact it should be border line party, but came off weak and pathetic. It was like winning the super bowl and having the victors celebrate with “well, that was a good game.”

       
    • saneromeo
      Posted on September 5, 2010 at 6:28pm

      He was only dull on the outside… Inside he was jumping with glee, because the page he wants to turn over is that one that starts with WE THE PEOPLE…

      Report Post » saneromeo  
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