It seems to me that Hitchens is complimentary, as you have said, but seems to be lamenting the fact (in his view) W is unable to articulate powerfully emough the danger the free world faces...that W can SEE it, but can't EXPRESS it.
I would agree with Hitchens on that point so far. But there's still time, and Bush may surprise us yet.
I think a week or two before any action in Iraq, Bush will come up with the speech, and more importantly - the evidence, to make his case to the world community.
And if he doesn't, we'll go anyway.