The Speech: As the Iraqis Stand Up, We Will Stand Down.

TEXT of President Bush's speech Tuesday night at Fort Bragg, N.C., as provided by the White House.

Highlights:

Some wonder whether Iraq is a central front in the war on terror. Among the terrorists, there is no debate. Hear the words of Osama Bin Laden: "This Third World War is raging'' in Iraq. "The whole world is watching this war.'' He says it will end in "victory and glory or misery and humiliation.''

The terrorists know that the outcome will leave them emboldened or defeated. So they are waging a campaign of murder and destruction. And there is no limit to the innocent lives they are willing to take.

We see the nature of the enemy in terrorists who exploded car bombs along a busy shopping street in Baghdad, including one outside a mosque. We see the nature of the enemy in terrorists who sent a suicide bomber to a teaching hospital in Mosul. And we see the nature of the enemy in terrorists who behead civilian hostages and broadcast their atrocities for the world to see.
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The principal task of our military is to find and defeat the terrorists and that is why we are on the offense. And as we pursue the terrorists, our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their people and fight the enemy on their own. Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.
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To further prepare Iraqi forces to fight the enemy on their own, we are taking three new steps:

First, we are partnering coalition units with Iraqi units. These coalition-Iraqi teams are conducting operations together in the field. These combined operations are giving Iraqis a chance to experience how the most professional armed forces in the world operate in combat.

Second, we are embedding coalition "transition teams'' inside Iraqi units. These teams are made up of coalition officers and noncommissioned officers who live, work and fight together with their Iraqi comrades. Under U.S. command, they are providing battlefield advice and assistance to Iraqi forces during combat operations. Between battles, they are assisting the Iraqis with important skills such as urban combat and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance techniques.

Third, we are working with the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Defense to improve their capabilities to coordinate anti-terrorist operations. We are helping them develop command and control structures. We are also providing them with civilian and military leadership training, so Iraq's new leaders can more effectively manage their forces in the fight against terror.
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After September 11, 2001, I told the American people that the road ahead would be difficult and that we would prevail. Well, it has been difficult. And we are prevailing. Our enemies are brutal, but they are no match for the United States of America and they are no match for the men and women of the United States military.
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The President really got choked up as he delivered the final line of his address, praising the men and women of our military. It's clear that he is not emotionally detached from what they and their families are doing and sacrificing in the name of all Americans.

Right now, the Dems are all over TV still spewing their negativity and talking about quagmires. The party of pessimism is countering Bush's remarks by spreading its typical message of doom, gloom, and failure.

Brian William's on NBC wanted to know if the military audience was given any instructions before the speech, such as refraining from applauding, etc. Kelly O'Donnell said that the applause that came 23 minutes into the speech was triggered by the President's advance team. She said applause is "contagious" and that explains why there was that burst of approval during the speech. Right. It was staged. The military audience was packed with robots, applauding out of reflex rather than agreement.

Overall, I thought Bush was clear and passionate and firm.

I know the talking heads say this speech was about boosting support among the American people for the Iraq war. Bush certainly was speaking to the nation, but I think his message was also intended for the Iraqis and people all over the world who might be questioning America's resolve.

Bush let it be known that he will not be influenced by poll numbers. That is not how he leads.

We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.