FULL TRANSCRIPT of Bush speech on Iraq Victory Strategy at the Naval Academy

CNN ^ | Nov. 30, 2005 | President George W. Bush

[Pragmatic_View]

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- President George Bush delivered remarks Wednesday on the war in Iraq. Following is a transcript of his address at the U.S. Naval Academy.

"Thank you. Thank you. Please be seated. Thanks for the warm welcome.

It's good to be back at the Naval Academy. I'm pleased to provide a convenient excuse for you to miss class.

It's the first year that every class of midshipmen at this academy arrived after the attacks of September the 11th, 2001. Each of you have volunteered to wear our nation's uniform in a time of war, knowing all the risks and dangers that accompany military service.

Our citizens are grateful for your devotion of duty. And America's proud of the men and women at the U.S. Naval Academy.

[Pragmatic_View]

I am sure those who missed it, or who want to review it, will be interested that the transcript is available now at CNN.

The transcript is not at whitehouse.gov yet. But there is a lot of information at the website of the White House outlining President Bush's Iraq Victory Strategy.

National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

[Pragmatic_View]

From the National Strategy for Victory in Iraq document at the White House website (link in post 1):

VICTORY IN IRAQ IS A VITAL U.S. INTEREST

The war on terrorism is the defining challenge of our generation, just as the struggle against communism and fascism were challenges of the generations before. As with those earlier struggles, the United States is fully committed to meeting this challenge. We will do everything it takes to win.

Prevailing in Iraq will help us win the war on terror.
The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in their war against humanity. And we must recognize Iraq as the central front in our war on terror.

Osama Bin Laden has declared that the "third world war...is raging" in Iraq, and it will end there, in "either victory and glory, or misery and humiliation."

Bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri has declared Iraq to be "the place for the greatest battle," where he hopes to "expel the Americans" and then spread "the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq."

Al Qaida in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has openly declared that "we fight today in Iraq, and tomorrow in the Land of the Two Holy Places, and after there the west."
As the terrorists themselves recognize, the outcome in Iraq -- success or failure -- is critical to the outcome in the broader war on terrorism.

What happens in Iraq will influence the fate of the Middle East for generations to come, with a profound impact on our own national security.

Ceding ground to terrorists in one of the world's most strategic regions will threaten the world's economy and America's security, growth, and prosperity, for decades to come.

An emerging democracy in Iraq will change the regional status quo that for decades has bred alienation and spawned the transnational terrorism that targets us today.
The terrorists' perverse ideology is countered by the advance of freedom and the recognition that all people have the right to live under democracy and the rule of law, free from oppression and fear, with hope and optimism for the future.

[cvq3842]

I heard parts of the speech and I will read it all when I get a chance. Rush Limbaugh just presented some very inspirational excerpts. Thanks for posting.

[MineralMan]

"Rumsfeld told the general he believed Pace meant to say the U.S. soldiers had to report the abuse, not stop it.

Pace stuck to his original statement.

"If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it," Pace told his civilian boss.
"

He's correct. It's the law. Rumsfeld is incorrect.

[Becki]

-

[ChadGore]

The Liberator.

[freepertoo]

Absolutely wonderful speech. I was driving but I wanted to pull to the side of the road to stand up and cheer!

[Former MSM Viewer]

God Bless our President and our troops...

[ChadGore]

bttt

[ChadGore]

Bush Maps Out Iraq War Strategy
President Bush speaks to U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen about the war on terror at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2005. President Bush, facing growing doubts about his war strategy, said Wednesday that Iraqi troops are increasingly taking the lead in battle but that "this will take time and patience." He refused to set a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

[PerConPat]

But there is a lot of information at the website of the White House outlining President Bush's Iraq Victory Strategy.

Thanks for the link. Here is another one that connects directly to the entire strategy document: http//www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html

This was a great speech that will keep the appeasers' stomachs churning. When this kind of presentation is stacked alongside the Dim's constant idea-less whining, we win every time.

[Alia]

mark.

[PerConPat]

Oops! Corrected link for entire White House Iraq strategy document: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq_strategy_nov2005.html

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the post. Perhaps amoung the more important posts of lately. I do hope people will bookmark the URL site provided within this thread, and download the pdf document to their systems for a long study as time permits.
His speech was void of any double talk or partial facts that could be used to make a case for withdraw of our forces prior to SASO and political objectives being achieved as outlined.

In short there should be no excuse for congress to play down the need to stay the course. The course was defined in adequate terms that anyone should be able to understand.

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

Thanks for adding the link.

Printed out the entire text.

I'm too new at this to figure out a way to stand up and cheer, so I'll have to settle for:

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!