I think the issue becomes a problem when he mentions the democrats by name, points out flaws in their philosophy etc...and the audience is all military. Then it is a political speech and the miliatry isn't in the business of politics. If Clinton did this in front of the troops, called out the Republicans over some issue...we would have crucified him.
When the Dems (Kerry, for example) are calling the soldiers "terrorists" and claiming our soldiers are dying for "lies" and "propaganda", the President has little choice but to respond.
FAILING to do so could lead to far greater disiplinary problems. (Soldiers might worry about being branded or charged criminally)
This situation should be placed squarely on the people who are responsible: the Democrats!
i'm calling you on this. I think this "if clinton did this" form of arguing is not only childish, its almost always dead wrong. I have never ever recall reading any Freeper that cried about Clinton's speeches to the troops. We all appreciated his attention to them. We did take issue with his comments but never his commenting in front of troops.
My pet peve is the argument "if Clinton" its stupid, juvenile and virtually always a lie.