Well, I missed it. The fiance had an after work work function and didn’t get home until late, and we ate dinner when she got here. Of course, I also thought the speech would be at 9.
From the Blogospheric reaction, it appears the president did well.
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Michael Demmons: “I Still Think He’s a Jerk Sometimes, But… I also think President Bush’s poll numbers will be up significantly in the morning. He did a good job tonight. ”
Donald Sensing warmed up to the speech as it went along, but still gives it “no better than a ‘B’ and maybe B-minus.”
Cori Dauber thought it “rhetorically very, very strong” but “argumentatively, not nearly as strong.” She also notes that giving the speech in front of the troops might have backfired, as the audience will take their professionalism as lack of enthusiasm.
Steve Bainbridge missed the speech but loves the transcript.
Bill Ardolino has some quibbles but says it was, “[C]ertainly one of Bush’s best speeches – clear and relatively substantial.”
Dean Esmay believes “this speech should help brace anyone who’s been wavering on whether what we are doing can succeed, or our commitment.”
John Hinderacker dubs it “Clear, confident, substantive. There was nothing in it that we and our readers didn’t already know, but the message is one that many rarely hear.”
Demosophist live blogged at Rusty’s place. He seemed to approve.
Kevin Drum was less than impressed, having heard it all before: “That was sure a….ho hum speech.”
Ed Morrissey live blogged and concluded, “I think Bush did a very good job, with just a few missed opportunities. ”
Jim Henley offers a nuanced take on the speech, both finding nothing new and two things which, if true, are new indeed.
What’s interesting is how many of the sites on my blogroll who’ve updated in the last two hours have no reaction to the speech at all.
If I’ve missed anyone, feel free to add your link using the trackback feature below.
Update: Political Teen Ian Schwartz has the video.
