Watching the master at work

quote:

Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would vindicate the terrorist tactics of beheadings and suicide bombings and mass murder and invite new attacks on America. People don't want me making decisions based on politics, they want me making decisions based on the recommendations of our generals on the ground. And that's exactly who I'll be listening to. Our strategy in Iraq is clear, our tactics are flexible and dynamic. We have changed them as conditions required and they are bringing us victory against a brutal enemy. I want to defeat the terrorists. And I want our troops to come home, But I don't want them to come home without having achieved victory. To all who wear the uniform, I make you this pledge: America will not run in the face of car bombers and assassins so long as I am your commander-in-chief. As Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop level in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists.