Is the Iraq War over?

As the president heads to. Fort Bliss in Texas to give a speech originally they told this it was gonna be a -- Oval Office speech but it looks like he's gonna be giving it in Fort Bliss in Texas. Speech on the end of the combat role in the Iraq have. War. That this would be good time on our station here on the Charlie Manning should talk about the Iraq War. And I guess the numbers of that we have at this time and hopefully it's gonna stay right where it is is about we lost about. 4427. Troops there during time that this war one on. Do was huge political. Partisanship shown to hurt during this war it was overwhelmingly supported by the American people at the beginning. Now I think if we took a poll and asked the American people who was worth that. I don't even know that it would be 5050. Short scenes like. 4427. American lives men an awful lot mean an awful lot more to me. Then what happens in Iraq and and giving the Iraqi People. The opportunity. For. Says have a democratic. Government. Self government you know we always hear from the so called experts on the Iraqi street that. One of the big problems. Is that most of the Arab countries are basically dictatorships. You know they yacht. Saudi re DS sear yeah. Com. Egypt even though they have elections -- elections always come out the way they want. Come so that. It is one of the reasons that did such unrest has been fomented in the Middle East is because as these dictatorships and we certainly took out one of the worst dictators and someone who had you know -- week's terrible war is the the Iran Iraq War. Became part of the American lexicon because we all sat there and thought. Wow how can both of them loose. And then when you think of Saddam since Hussein's supporting terror arrest activities all over the Middle East including. Paying off the families of Palestinian. Suicide bombers who killed Israelis. And he would then send money to the family of whatever. Whatever family could get the airport child to strap army suicide belt and get on a Boston blow up a bunch of Americans in his Israelis. He he was the one who -- would reward the family. So anyway. A bad dictator went down but does that dictators all over the world. Was it worth it was the decision made by President Bush to go to war in Iraq the right one. Looking back on it now and like I said told you in the last hour you know we're still gonna have 50000 troops there for. A long time to -- one of my really good friends who's already served a one year. You know history over there it is probably having to go back in January. And that's really tough foreign Jimenez family and in fact he has a son that's you know in the is fighting now in Afghanistan so. They're very brave and very patriotic family in their really representing our country well. By the way if you haven't seen the numbers here in about the last forty year a two. 72. Hours and Afghanistan 21 American. Soldiers have died in different situations combat. Roadside bombs really sat 21 American soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and about the last 48 hours. So things are getting very rough they are too. So the president's gonna go in give his speech tonight and of course he said he opposed the war from the start. And he opposed the surge which won the war. And we all remember Harry Reid looking in the camera. For very political reasons or maybe he believes that saying that. The war was lost it was all over we shouldn't spend more more penny on it and there shouldn't be a surge. The president won't say that this is Dade that the surge is what turn the tide he refuses to say he was asked about it again over the weekend don't you have to give credit to the surge in. He refuses to say it's so I don't expect him to say that tonight. I expect him to commend our troops and separately. They did a fantastic job and I wanna thank you all for serving in if any of our listeners and I know we have a lot of listeners who have spent time in Iraq and serving our country. Would love to hear from you -- hear your stories. And what went on and I didn't I just think it's terrific we talked about this for a little while last weekend. One of our callers call from New Hampshire and told us the story about fighting Syrians in the triangle of death he was marine. And he talked about a viciously ambush and he said we lost a lot of good Marines that day in that was today I got my purple heart and said it in such a non plots. No brag in his voice at all just a fantastic. Guy. And I was thinking wow what with the Syrians doing there -- some. Anyway -- would love to hear what you think was the war in Iraq worth that. Our our troops leaving with on -- are you comfortable leaving 50000 troops behind is it time to just pull everybody out. And died in the long run was at the right decision from the start. 6172666860. Heater in your bed figure first on in this hour on the Charlie Manning show.

But I think I was interest in talking about. A little billowing up -- lines Charlie and -- that many soldiers unfortunately get killed. Over and packaged in north Iraq in the past. I would say that. Coming down -- and 95. Leading they dictate. The early an early morning hours side estimate. Maybe 500 people. Between unknown Labor Day get killed more so than six feet on the news.

I don't think I think nationwide. What you -- you're in traffic accidents. -- who's usually lose between forty and 50000 years. Nationwide in traffic accidents. They -- over the course of the year. Over the course of the war and of course and went into Afghanistan I didn't who was Marxist 2003. Did we lost four to about this is the latest number 4400.

47 of our men and women so are we -- a bad lie and I think you'll probably call in on your car phone he had you window open and maybe that isn't the best so if you call that's a new car phone as soon as we go on you may wanna closure windows so we can hear you a little better. Walter on the tape you're nexus Charlie Manning hit Walter. You wonder what turned on your radio Walter. Or you conclusion windows Walter you can turn down. You turned on your radio to.

Charlie yes I think to take the call great topic. I I think I have I feel a lot of mixed emotions and I think a lot of people audio listeners may feel the same way up. I think the important thing to remember. More well above and beyond anything else says that this was the very deadly dangers regime. You know this is a gentleman who had used weapons of mass destruction. This is a gentleman who funded suicide bombers this is somebody who defied the UN sanctions. And also routinely fired. Are an -- US. Aircraft old -- not know why don't would but surfaced they have this dial. He was not a friend I he has not missed he's -- missed by his neighbors saw and so forth. In the same breath what's that worth. In the end of knowing what we know now I think even somebody who supported the war and voted for bush twice. I could definitively say no. There was no weapons of mass destruction as it turns out the sanctions were working. The economy of Iraq was a mass. And and I just don't see in the future it if it's gonna cost -- many American lives. I don't support any wars that can't be engaged fire navy and our air force and by governmental. Level assassinations -- didn't period. They just don't see in the modern day in time. Why we need to lose 6000 American men and women -- and allied forces. But you know it's just one of those mixed emotions like it definitively say yes or no and I would like to -- credit given. For the search -- it's not for the Bush Administration. But the men and women Lugo who who gave their lives for this country and the opportunity for democracy to spring up in Iraq.

Yes that was the defining moment of all that you remember they had that early. They had that early policy. That they were gonna try to fight the war on the cheap. That they were going to try to do it with the fewest troops possible. And that they were going to. Save -- the and sort of fight it was it was -- Donald rumsfeld's theory. And I've always been a believer in the Colin Powell theory which is if American troops are going into war. Do you want techie gift to them with the largest numbers and the most military vehicles and everything you need. Just overwhelm. The opposition the way we did in gulf war one. And dumb. It -- so much sense but the colors exactly right. Golf for one even though we didn't go into Iraq. After we drove us Saddam and his and his army out of Kuwait. Even though we didn't go into Iraq and finish the job. It was lingering it was still going on we had the northern no fly zone in the southern no fly zone and we're trying to protect the Kurds and we're trying to protect the Shiites and down in the marshes and in in the -- in the sultan of Iraq can. It was costing us billions of dollars a year and you just wonder if that wasn't worth that. To go we in the air and finish the job. That we had started in in gulf war one. And you have distinct dead if -- one ER thirty York's fifty years from now. That not only Iraq has a democratic government but that. Other countries in the Middle East other Arab. Countries. Egypt Saudi Arabia go to debt and a -- Rain and which course is an Arab that's Persian but. Go to democratic forms of government. That it won't appalled and worth it. But that's that's a long way down the road to decide it let's go to what chuck in -- to your next Charlie Manning hey chuck.

I thanks for letting me talk you're ultra geek brief. On edge you're saying most people feel that bush won. I didn't do enough and that bush two -- just try to do too much. Intel up -- personally I can't side with bush when he admission he did he got out he didn't try to babysit. Our country for ten years. I bet one problem with these -- lofty goals and Mr. Bush that I appreciate. It is IE EE is that hurt maybe is a cat but. People appears has -- democracy is that it's a magic word as it yet democracy it's gonna be fine everything's -- right. Democracy is not a magic word it spits out. Editor director of democracy takes a lot of work and meet certain prerequisites one of the biggest one is of course it got. -- really well educated electorate. Omni and society yeah otherwise you're just giving your district -- that -- and number chill about to sign off after this. Is what -- have a simple democracy is just majority rule. And you're going to be ever ever caught people we're gonna try to get on the -- democracy. Just so they can get they're gonna. They have you know institute Sharia law they're gonna go what Getty. You know up big time. -- religious dictatorship thank you very much.

Thanks well that's one way they could go that certainly is and end -- the Shiites are the majority. In the country and if it and it's funny though there's a difference this seems to be difference and I'm certainly no expert in this but the difference between different she got. Strains of the Shiite Muslim faith. Because the leaders -- Iraq. The Shiite leaders don't wanna get involved in politics they don't believe in getting involved in politics they believe their message based their mission should be spiritual. But in a rain and of course it's it's a Shiite. Dictatorship if you wanna call at that -- that was put in place. By the Ayatollah Khomeni and they have this character called the supreme leader. And he really oversees everything in the country beyond not fully elected government that they have so it's it's sort of different strains abuse -- I again I'd love to hear from people who served there. Love to hear your stories but also like to hear what would you like to hear the president say tonight. What would you like to hear him say about Iraq obviously he's gonna say it was a victory. That our troops deserve all the credit that they can get. Meant that they deserve and how brave they worried. And everything but what would -- like him to say. Still hear the president say tonight when he gives his speech at 617666060. Paula Milton you're next to Charlie Manning.

I jolly good show -- take it might call me is Farris says the president all clamoring think the less said. It would be the better we'll if you are well yet they acknowledged the coached any effort at the American troops. And people. And let it go with that he might hold -- Make comments escapee untapped oil we shares. -- I have not been. Activated over here in Iraq. We deserve a -- portion of that to pay back the billions we put into Iraq.

But you know we're not gonna do that all.

Well I mean what I'm seeing -- I believe that that President Obama would certainly win some friends in this country and go I don't need that.

Yeah out right. I -- we never went differ oil we have never taken any oil. We never have -- have exploited the resources of any country. That we defeated in war.

Shall you look at your and I -- has always been big business for my gate is that it might WW who want -- Make an apartment to me when I was watching John Wayne as being at the Iwo -- hall someday you're gonna learn why it was big business know we didn't go away in the.

We didn't go in the exit take that oil.

But you know we did that shape yet country and didn't let it fall are we -- a stay wit yeah. Yeah I culprits that were -- the I believe it that we should -- be entitled to get our reimbursement for our expenses. You put data on one side of alleged child again that you'll put the other expenses that are being ignored.

Yeah incident followed by the VA administration going itself -- only a -- it's connected with some congressman.

Well both properties that they can anything until July.

I saw that report this morning was you know I mean they --

So why I just hope that mr. Obama that's not the movie. I mean got acknowledging guess up annually every day by selling this country down the river so why not let him come up with something not quite inept or change.

That's a short in you know what -- I think his speeches have really slipped to lately sold -- you'll be addressing the -- get back on the beam tonight that's ashore.

It will be interest think tank --

Thanks -- 6172666860. Lifts the we got some text messages you send him to a 68680. Obama should give the speech from Crawford Texas would bush as a show of unity and bipartisanship. Well he's down it off Fort Bliss and El Paso, Texas right now I guess he has called. President Bush they were putting out the story that they didn't say what the call is about it was a private call they said. We're talking about the 4427. Members of the military that we've lost in in a rack and 617 says look at the murder rates for New York LA Washington DC. For last year it was high. 50 wait with saying Paul is right we're talking about how at the beginning we tried to fight the war on the cheap. And our troops didn't have what they needed they didn't have the not armored vehicles the Powell or that they needed especially his take on the insurgents and al-Qaeda. And we talked about how Colin Powell is always said use massive military force anytime our troops are gonna fight. And he says Powell is right Charlie when you go to war pull everything out of the toolbox Rumsfeld screwed up. I think I totally agree with you view is you know you don't. Use our fighting men and women as Guinea pigs to test your theories of battle that's for sure I disagree with that. 978 says Charlie since Iraq. Eleven people have stopped. Asking Jim Baker why they didn't going to Baghdad and gets Saddam Hussein. I get Saddam Hussein back then yeah I you know debt that was decision that was made bay course President Bush's father the first President Bush. And they made that decision not to go win then. Then they finally made the decision to go in and here it is seven years later more than seven years later. What would you like to hear from the president tonight we asked. I would like to -- I quit -- Doesn't 603 says 508 says I would like the -- I've failed to America as of midnight tonight I resign so. They're both on the same pathway there unlike here in safety huge size gosh. Five -- says okay that would play well on the world stage if we lay claim to their oil. Let's grab their first born while -- that's right I mean I understand what our call was saying but. We're not taking oil out there right it's a public relations disaster if we tried to. And then finally seven a well Sony one said I hope that people who voted for Obama won't vote in the next election. Well remember he says his whole campaign and the thing he kept nailing Hillary Clinton with during the primaries was he would always opposed the war. Yet you know when he was a state senator representing basically a social his district he he did. But Hillary had to take real votes on the war is a US senator. And of course side he won't give credit now to the success of the surge. Anyway we're talking about the war in Iraq bits this at least a symbolic. Coming to an end of it tonight the president's going to be speaking. If you served. What would you like to hear him say. What would you like to hear the president say about the Iraq War. And especially if you search we'd love to hear your stories what you remember what you'll never forget if you surge in Iraq. We know we have a lot of people out there listening who did an awful lot of people from our state did an awful lot of people from our. Stayed we have lost I remember Mitt Romney when he was governor at the end of this state has the stated dress -- Started a tradition of Reading the names of the young men and women that we've lost in. In four all in the war isn't. You know since since 9/11. During that year and that list got longer and longer every year is is he would read them at the end of the speech and you just sort of think while. That's way too many way too many. 4427. Deaths in Iraq just the Nashua, New Hampshire -- Charlie Manning.

Well I'd like Peter and say withdrawn but of course he won't. But did find oil goes USA only get like did very small -- oil from Iraq may be one to 3% of their overall oil. Comes from there the contractors are limited to a 1% profits so that got that was saying that we went their -- just pull that. Because of course the oil prices have gone up. And then the other thing that annoys me is if you go on the -- airlines not not mine YouTube whatever they sell all but the Obama kept his promise to bring the troops don't. Well at all I think probably they capped.

I mean I don't actually actually I think this is exactly Jeff the same timeline. That the Bush Administration had put in place before the president left is and it just about the same timeline.

Yeah yeah I think so but you know for these people -- look at he keeps his promises -- got to.

Okay there's this web site little Italian off fifty promises that he broke. And then of course they so they USA killed all those Iraqis well you know there was collateral that's button it's different -- and.

You know you what they did not have a policy of purposely murdering innocent civilians. Which is terrorist bill.

In almost the people that were killed were killed and that you know fruit fruit that way not from USA purposely killing them.

Especially. We went out of our way and put our own troops in jeopardy. With the rules of engagement to protect the civilian population.

Exactly like -- these clowns these liberal clowns are USA killed you know one million people well that's not true at all I don't know what they get those figures from there were some that were killed but it would accident of war.

I like you said we do we what do we fought with one hand tied behind their back.

In this case that we can't defend ourselves it's just you know ludicrous.

That's absolutely right thanks of the call Jeff I appreciate it 61726666. -- this live Chris is he speaking to the troops at Fort Bliss right now. Why don't we got take a break from the news offer -- this all out news at the bottom of the hour will come back we'll keep talking about. The oh war in Iraq that is sort of coming to an end way or one way or the other tonight. 617268.

Remain a drive. Tonight in the main message I have for you is congratulations on the job well done. The country appreciates your I appreciate it and I. The most the most tried I've taken my job as being your commander --

Welcome back we're watching we just watched the end of president Obama's remarks out of Fort Bliss here's the drill I thought he was giving me. Oval Office speech tonight -- years but he went flew to Texas. And chest was meeting with the troops and then he's meeting with some members of the military you who are. Heading over to Iraq to like folks I was telling you about my friend who are sorry about is gonna be heading over and a few more months. And then he is flying back to Washington to give the Oval Office speech so that seems like give -- this holds a -- get out of Iraq day. And how I don't know watch it tonight on C span if you have a chance I'm sure they'll be showing it again. It's seemed to me like a guy he. You -- although the military people sitting there in uniform you know high achievers. People would defended in fought for our country see Jiri is serious. Patriotic. All honorable people. And then you sort of socked him and he just kept repeating the same thing over -- so he seemed to meet the so and comfortable. So -- comfortable there with troops. And then at the end need to sort of put his microphone down and they applauded -- little -- he really walked out without shaking hands so. It's very very interesting to see go way he handled it. I guess he's gonna meet with some gold star moms and then some troops and then head back to Washington tonight for this. This. Oval Office speech. He kept saying over and over again my main message tonight is going to be congratulations. On a job well done to our mill it's.

It is congratulations on the job well done the country appreciates your I appreciate -- and I. The most the most pride I've taken my job is being your commander in chief.

Yeah he said that good catcher Chris he said that about four times they didn't have a teleprompter their forums so was sort of a rain and bullying. Speech so anyway we're talking about the war in Iraq. Would love to hear from you if you served. We also want to ask you what's it worth it wasn't worth the seven years the 4427. American lives that we lost the others who came back. Different than they went that's ashore in a lot of cases would love to hear from you what you think about the decision -- by president George. Bush to go into Iraq. Us do we insult Boston new -- Charlie Manning a student.

Hello Kelly pod in it and you just look at the number 4000 plus lives. I think I'm gonna -- wouldn't be. I think it'd say that this earlier Scalia before rarely publicly at the news break. -- and George Bush was right because he's stopped. -- just foolish because he's. If he should have pushed through because that left to listen death left. He even -- he left a lovely put it sped up until we stop the imperialists from entering our country based optical -- right now we what are we gonna -- Coming back. Coming back -- some years -- people said not to do it but it does because if we had pushed through took control of I Iraq like we we try to do it really didn't get a break we -- took it could we could have promised I arena. And so although blood -- that data was gonna remain but. Did he beat you over the account of like -- he's got it was kind of go into. They -- can you say well it's like you can only go back go to going to be heading to the future.

Yep I absolutely understand what you're saying -- you you have to in -- is. It's really the culmination. Of the first gulf war. That the second gulf war there -- absolutely it's.

I think if they can't we know that the key is debatable only wish dot PS thank you think it's not gonna grow Saddam built up a lot of and no respect from -- who would exact who used to be his enemy. -- they had already stepped. Up because they had the they had it built up this site if they stop -- American imperialists. They built up so that led -- I would think that the -- Lebanon anyway. The live look and I don't think Obama is gonna give act judge bush is due because. As Obama's separately on so many of the front -- he's blaming George Bush book. That he way back and he's shown -- that really consideration the judge bush go to my bank the -- Serviceman in the general the government thank George Bush.

Well he'll say he spoke to President Bush today because they're putting that out PR wise you know their -- We. You know did the president did called George which we're not saying what they said but you know. So so -- be part of whatever presentation this is going to be tonight.

But Cali I would say -- looking. It's got play I think and and I mathematics Alec and I think that probably get out of that -- tickets yet the same -- They -- even worse and -- Iraq did so primitive. Like even now Barack when we leave do we leave -- 50000 plus soldiers -- the place that Brian whatever. Then they'll have to read at factions settle this soon be whatever they still don't agree with each other and other going to be good. Islam group company dollars in the them.

Well you know it takes a while to form a country -- we were talked about it the other night with some friends. Think he'll win the overlook the revolutionary war ended in our country. Till we passed our constitution but what's it like eight years record it -- of -- Britain gave Ireland its independence. They had a vicious civil war in Ireland at that time.

Leavitt Charlie this is different those people we're tribal these are very traveling a big difference physical. It would not just -- wanna to a didn't I would do of the Catholic and Protestant British Irish. They have a big fifty different -- it's worse connect via this via. There's so I think. We should override that they look at photos for 5000 more and believe we have analysts expect a bit -- realistic get them out of it. Get them out. It didn't fight them to a whole different mode and extend with a potentially buddies over there.

Thanks -- the calls do we appreciate it. Let's go to Bob Dylan salt Boston build your -- with Charlie Manning how are you bill.

Very jolly I go on all. They have a different take on Obama all right I think you know you're makes them very valuable insights about how uncomfortable he appears to be in his role and I think that. Another way to look at this is is a lesson out there for a lot of people particularly close -- there under the age of forty. -- I'll be very careful what you want because you may get it and there's a difference between. Are arranging your life after going after position and then having the experience and was enough to enjoy the position when together. And I think Obama. It's a classic case -- in business very often also was someone set the goal. Which keep the CEO slot they achieve it at a young age. In this part but they're not -- and I think that's the difference you see in Obama versus some of the other presidential.

Oh yeah he has no experience at all bill in dealing with any of these things and we took a huge risk with him you know wind when we elected him president. And now we're sort of paying the price here I mean the fact that he can't even admit to this day. That the surge is what turned everything around you know what I Chris has there were already to go we could play them for you. You're of the surge isn't working the surge won't work everybody agrees every expert says we can have the search. Heck Joe Biden is over in Iraq with the troops he was the one that was saying we had to cut the country into three parts remember -- And got to have you know the Sunni the Shiites in the solve the Sunnis around Baghdad and then the Kurds in the north and have it be. Three separate countries. Fans you know maybe you'll adopt that way in the long run who knows but but you know neither of them. Have any experience in this type -- stuff and it's really kinda scary and like I said -- from the if you have a chance that I watch him with the with the troops in Fort Bliss he looks so uncomfortable. And -- you're looking at him -- you could tell they wanted to listen they wanted to respect him. And they wanted to respect their commander in chief but they just -- sort of -- you know that the troops it would sitting there listening to him it -- was really interesting to watch.

The other -- not that time all JT right I mean -- things are on a somewhat -- you can bring somebody young and inexperienced then there let them come up the speed but this type this situation has just not. When you need somebody in there you know on OJ case.

That's -- sure like when Bill Clinton came in you know the Cold War ended we had no line. -- man he inherited a pretty good economy. And he was able to ride it out in you know -- he was inexperienced but mid didn't really cost us in the long run. But these are really dangerous times now.

They they really anyway just enough to make still another that's somewhat delicate set out for everybody.

This shore rod thanks of the call. But bill Mike in new near next how you today Mike.

Good show joy I don't find it looks like the target. Tell your photo to ensure there's no victory here there's no victory lap to be -- where we lost fourteen kids over the weekend. I hope these shares finished -- area.

Mike we've lost 21 neat one American soldiers in Afghanistan in the last 48 hours.

Yeah I did just didn't show -- Surely albeit not for a year earlier every death toll is 31 of the date. When that happens I assure you I appreciate it -- area until construction. Bring back the draft so every general have a little skin in the game and then maybe overlap people always -- The war bloggers I think we are succeeding in Iraq which we didn't vital break because there's a festering. Hatred for rush they're very cool. And we don't often chill it's gonna continue if it's a -- feel different that we can win here we can't live without a -- I believe that I wish I think we need said that that the draft. There have everybody in the game but get deep toward national gag gag vehicle to a -- is. Even when militia -- limited to battle what other country would even think a dorm like debt.

If doing it. Are you it's a quality night.

It's Petrocelli quality is that -- tournament. As far as I'm concerned the quality is -- made up of -- Especially of America that fueled the Italians the Irish get he would every tidbit fish get it starts to award -- week. And I don't think it's ever gonna work by the way but I want bush generally gain cycle like go to work everyday you issue these young kids. Then let your kids it will be tried schools I -- racial. Fourteen of the general Bibby appears we'll children have pierced yet -- guys it just wish we don't degrade yet. I won't -- and negate -- effect wouldn't stay at war. For the Middle East -- pull out. --

Thanks to the call we got a bunch of text messages hear from you all six of three says I'd like for him to think give bush some credit. I think it's too early to say if it was a success that will take years to really know. Hate Charlie says 617 how about General Petraeus -- president in 2012. He should be done over there according to the White House yeah let's see if they get a mountain time. Obama 50 -- says Obama enjoys being their commander in chief he has no respect for our military. I don't know if you could say he has no respect for our military but he obviously isn't comfortable around military people and you know what. Sometimes I'm not either I mean when I look at the young men and when we remember when we have the Marines in here was marine week we -- a bunch in the Marines in here. I am so when a law of the of the young men and women that serve our country in the military. I don't really know what to say that except -- you went hey here's some honey would be treated to dinner that's what we're all doing that week in the Marines are in town. Rob let's -- President Obama should play praised the American dream of individual opportunity for all citizens. He sure remind the world that we save the world from fascism and communism in World War I into. Then rebuild Germany Japan with the Marshall plan finally he should acknowledge that we can no longer afford to send our young Americans to foreign lands. Therefore he's announcing a plan to close down America's military bases in Germany Japan are Okinawa while Taiwan. And pop up plus well that's certainly a pretty aggressive. Way of thinking about a might think a lot of people Saddam might agree with you. President Obama is useless and a danger to our freedom I can't wait to vote him out. And I think a lot of people feeling that way anyway watched the speech he just spoke to the trips you flew all the way it's to Fort Bliss to see the troops. He's -- back now to Washington to deliver this Oval Office speech tonight. In its kinda interesting. One commentator. Here. Says what if I could pull it up I was just looking at a during the break here we go. Obama will mark the occasion by flying to Fort Bliss Texas to meet -- veterans you also in soldiers there as we just -- deliver a prime time. Oval Office speech or the second one since taking office. And Vice President Biden has traveled to Iraq to amplify the message -- doing the amplifying the message. Maybe he's entitled to a partial victory lap. But this is not the right moment Ford said Mike analyst Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings institute. If I were him I'd wait until we have an Iraqi Government and do it with the Iraqis together. -- Hamlin said he was confused about the planned Oval Office speech you could raise unrealistic expectations among the public. About the chances for common Iraqi said in the timing of the pull out of combat troops may be. Be seen as having more to do with the president's political needs them with real signs of progress on the ground. Very interesting.