Oval Office Address on Iraq.

• Author: Jones, David T.
• Position: Brief article

Oval Office Address on Iraq

By Barack Obama, President of the United States

Text and video: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/31/remarks-president-address-nation-end-combat-operations-iraq

Reviewed by David T. Jones

Building on his August 2 presentation to disabled veterans--an address that was more a box-checking, niche audience speech--the president dramatically expanded both his audience and his focus on August 31. Speaking in prime time from the Oval Office (for only the second time in his presidency), the president played a trifecta: again marking the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq; outlining objectives in Afghanistan; and emphasizing the need to press for U.S. economic recovery.

Again, he commended the successful efforts of U.S. forces in Iraq (mentioning for the first time former President Bush's key role) while emphasizing the continued U.S. commitment to Iraqi stability and progress. Our costs have been high both in blood (4,400 dead) and treasure ($740 billion). But now "it is time to turn the page" and Iraq's fate is now clearly in Iraqi hands ("The Iraqi people now have the lead...