Washinton Post Pravda apparently gave the honor of writing an editorial to the fresh writer Domenich boy. How else would you explain this unapologetic ass licking:
PRESIDENT BUSH should hold more news conferences. In his hour-long exchange with reporters at the White House yesterday, he was considerably more effective in explaining and defending his commitment to the war in Iraq than in the three carefully worded speeches he has delivered in the past week. In his sometimes blunt, sometimes joking and sometimes unpolished way, he sounded authentic – no more so than when he was asked what had become of the “political capital” he claimed after the 2004 election. “I’d say I’m spending that capital on the war,” Mr. Bush replied.
And so he is. The president’s approval ratings are low and sinking, and Iraq is the main cause: Polls show most Americans no longer believe the war is worth the cost or expect the “victory” Mr. Bush’s speechwriters keep promising. Republicans in Congress have joined Democrats in pressing for a major withdrawal of U.S. troops this year. Even senior military commanders appear more interested in justifying that drawdown than in defeating Iraqi insurgents.
Mr. Bush, however, hasn’t lost sight of the stakes. “The enemy has said that it’s just a matter of time before the United States loses its nerve and withdraws from Iraq. That is what they have said,” he told reporters.
[…]
But the president clearly has not lost sight of the enormous importance of the Iraqi mission, to U.S. security as well as to his presidency. Pressed repeatedly to say when American forces would leave the country entirely, he finally answered: “That will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq.” Not the most politic response, perhaps, but one that shows Mr. Bush remains committed in the theater where U.S. commitment, and leadership, are still desperately needed.