The President's Speech on Iraq: Truth versus Spin

Anthony H. Cordesman, CSIS Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy

President Bush was more frank about the problems we face in Iraq than he has been in the past. He talked in more depth than before about the need to make Iraqi forces effective, and why deadlines for US withdrawal could present serious problems. He presented a case for not increasing US troops and he at least seemed to commit the US to not establishing bases in Iraq or maintaining any lasting presence: "We will stay in Iraq as long as we are needed -- and not a day longer…And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever -- when we are in fact working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave."
Key parts of his speech, however, were driven by spin, rather than a frank effort to warn the American people of the sacrifices necessary to win and the risks involved. The end result was to mislead in ways that can come back to haunt the Administration and reduce longer-term public support.