“I’m going to make you this promise: I’m not going to allow the sacrifice of 2,527 troops who have died in Iraq to be in vain by pulling out before the job is done,” he told 3,500 troops and relatives. Noting the death of al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, he added: “This moment, when the terrorists are suffering from the weight of successive blows, is not the time to call retreat. We will stay. We will fight. And we will prevail.” -George W. Bush July 4th, 2006
“Reality though is that where we are today concerning the Iraq War, all that is there to take home from it and polish on the mantel, all that we can really hold in our hands and that our five senses can detect and know is PAIN! And one more dead soldier will never make the one who died before him a soldier who didn’t die in vain!” I take this moment to pay homage to my beautiful husband and share a quote from him, “None of my soldiers died in vain, but my government killed them in vain!” -Militarytracy, June 30th, 2006
Who is right?
Now, for a trip into the time machine. Here’s Lyndon Johnson talking about the progress in Vietnam on March 31st, 1968. He also announced in this speech that he would not seek reelection.
There has been substantial progress, I think, in building a durable government during these last 3 years. The South Vietnam of 1965 could not have survived the enemy’s Tet offensive of 1968. The elected government of South Vietnam survived that attack–and is rapidly repairing the devastation that it wrought.
The South Vietnamese know that further efforts are going to be required:
* —to expand their own armed forces,
* –to move back into the countryside as quickly as possible,
* –to increase their taxes,
* —to select the very best men that they have for civil and military responsibility,
* —to achieve a new unity within their constitutional government, and
* –to include in the national effort all those groups who wish to preserve South Vietnam’s control over its own destiny.
Bush in the 2006 State of the Union:
We’re on the offensive in Iraq, with a clear plan for victory. First, we’re helping Iraqis build an inclusive government, so that old resentments will be eased and the insurgency will be marginalized.
Second, we’re continuing reconstruction efforts, and helping the Iraqi government to fight corruption and build a modern economy, so all Iraqis can experience the benefits of freedom. And, third, we’re striking terrorist targets while we train Iraqi forces that are increasingly capable of defeating the enemy. Iraqis are showing their courage every day, and we are proud to be their allies in the cause of freedom. (Applause.)
Our work in Iraq is difficult because our enemy is brutal. But that brutality has not stopped the dramatic progress of a new democracy. In less than three years, the nation has gone from dictatorship to liberation, to sovereignty, to a constitution, to national elections. At the same time, our coalition has been relentless in shutting off terrorist infiltration, clearing out insurgent strongholds, and turning over territory to Iraqi security forces. I am confident in our plan for victory; I am confident in the will of the Iraqi people; I am confident in the skill and spirit of our military. Fellow citizens, we are in this fight to win, and we are winning.
LBJ used the same tired rhetoric in 1968 that George W. Bush is using now. But with an important difference. He made a plea for national unity, said he would put politics aside and dedicate himself wholly to ending the conflict in Vietnam, and then said he would not seek re-election. Bush should try some of the same humility.
Fifty-two months and 10 days ago, in a moment of tragedy and trauma, the duties of this office fell upon me. I asked then for your help and God’s, that we might continue America on its course, binding up our wounds, healing our history, moving forward in new unity, to clear the American agenda and to keep the American commitment for all of our people.
United we have kept that commitment. United we have enlarged that commitment.
Through all time to come, I think America will be a stronger nation, a more just society, and a land of greater opportunity and fulfillment because of what we have all done together in these years of unparalleled achievement.
Our reward will come in the life of freedom, peace, and hope that our children will enjoy through ages ahead.
What we won when all of our people united just must not now be lost in suspicion, distrust, selfishness, and politics among any of our people.
Believing this as I do, I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.
With America’s sons in the fields far away, with America’s future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the world’s hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office–the Presidency of your country.
Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.
But let men everywhere know, however, that a strong, a confident, and a vigilant America stands ready tonight to seek an honorable peace–and stands ready tonight to defend an honored cause–whatever the price, whatever the burden, whatever the sacrifice that duty may require.
Thank you for listening.
Good night and God bless all of you.