[STARWISE]

The article referenced (by Fred Barnes, believe it or not) is a MUST read. Behind the scenes of Pres. Bush’s surge decision process. Shows his undeniable strength of conviction and savvy. It was his deft hand and resolute
faith in the mission that made the difference. Brilliant ..

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1960104/posts?page=32#32

One of the money passages .. there are a few:

“He was never alarmed, Bush said, by the opposition to a surge from nearly everyone in the political community, the media, and the foreign policy establishment—everyone, he pointed out, “except for the people inside the White House I trust.

We’ve been in this foxhole now for seven years, and we’re battle-tested, hardened veterans of dealing with the elite opinion in Washington, D.C.”

Link: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/658dwgrn.asp?pg=1

~~~

Also .. the congressional traitors are at it again:

Top agents in secret trip to Pakistan

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1960217/posts?page=15#15

[Bahbah]

It was his deft hand and resolute faith in the mission that made the difference.

Nah, STARWISE, it was all due to McCain. He told us so.

[rodguy911]

Great stuff star, no question GW is underestimated all the time.

[Chgogal]

In the same vain of the Weeklystandard article here is Condi Rice's speech in Davos and Jay Nordlinger's commentary of the speech. Both are excellent. They are very worth while reads IMHO. Condi did this nation proud.

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/01/99624.htm

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MWE3MGEwMjZhYTQyMzQ3YWIzMWZkZDRhNWQyYTc5MTk=&w=MA==

(go down to the bottom of page one)

"......The overflowing audience — many are forced to stand, lining the walls — listens with quiet and respect. When Rice’s name was first mentioned, someone nearby me hissed. But, thereafter, no such demonstrations. And Rice gives an excellent speech. I agree with nearly every word of it, but that is not my point (quite). It is, plain and simple, an excellent speech: bracing, stirring, a tonic, something needed. Something that really hits the spot.

I will do some extensive quoting of the speech, and a little commenting. Rice says that, in thinking about her speech for this audience, “I decided to do something risky: I want to talk about the importance of ideals and I want to talk about the need for optimism [about] their power.

“Now, I know that whenever Americans start talking about idealism and optimism, international audiences groan.” I hear some appreciative chuckles. “Perhaps there is a little concern that you’re going to hear a long, moralizing lecture. Well, I promise not to do that.” And she doesn’t, unfortunately. (Just kidding.) (Mainly.)

“And another common concern when Americans talk of idealism and optimism is, ‘Well, there they go again,’ the innocents abroad. Indeed, there is a long international tradition of viewing America as kind of young and naïve. Well, in our defense, I would just say we’re not that young. And if you are tempted to think that we are naïve, then you should hope that Bismarck was right when he said, ‘God has a special providence for fools, drunks, and the United States of America.’”

......and it gets much better. Folks the speech and Jay's comments are worth a read.