On Wednesday, Bush reiterated "stay the course" during a speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, citing two-year old intelligence. Bush: "Hear the words of Osama bin Laden: He calls the struggle in Iraq a 'war of destiny,"[t]he war is for you or for us to win. If we win it, it means your defeat and disgrace forever.'" Bush went on to say that "Victory in Iraq is important for Osama bin Laden, and victory in Iraq is vital for the United States of America.
So does this mean that the president is once again concerned about Bin Laden? In response to a question posed to Bush by a member of the press more than a year ago regarding the "de-escalation" of Bush's references to "bring Bin Laden to justice", Bush responded that he "doesn't worry about Bin Laden much" anymore. Reflecting Bush's lack of interest, the military unit tasked with the "Bin Laden hunt" was disassembled, end of story? Nope, this was a special day for Bush.
A day when the Democratic Congress who gained control last November in a win that was enabled by the American people's disapproval of the war in Iraq, essentially gave in to Bush on the emergency war funding bill. The "compromise bill" provides no timetable for withdraw, and the Speaker of the House admits that she probably won't even vote for it. Bush was at his swaggering best today as he always is when he is exaggerating conditions on the ground in Iraq speaking before a military audience, pretending to be one of them. But Bush had an extra spring in his step this time, bucked up by the Democrat's in Congress, at least until September. Bush Corps is undoubtedly already manufacturing the evidence that conditions are improved in Iraq. "We've made real progress, or no this is better, "the generals tell me we're makin' real progress, really!"
Early fall is the timetable many Republicans in Congress have floated as the point that their support for Bush will be at least become less emphatic if they are to ever be elected to anything again. Bush's next move? Look for yet another "number two" man in Al-Quaida to be killed or captured over the summer months, and we all know how much of a positive turning point that will be. I wouldn't be surprised if the administration was ratcheting up the Bin Laden rhetoric in preparation for an impending Osama sighting before the end of September either, or better yet, the tape praising the Democrats.
