Paul Begala: Quote of the Day

Clinton campaign manager Paul Begala: “All of the energy in this election is on the right; the progressives are completely demoralized. One of the reasons is that when you get up in the morning and you find out that Democrats are increasing troops in Afghanistan and cutting taxes for the rich, why the hell have a Democratic Party?”

Obama’s Iraq Speech: Tonight He Claims Credit for Policies He Always Opposed by Gregory Hilton

President Obama will address the nation tonight for only the second time from the Oval Office. The speech will occur just hours after his return from Fort Hood in Texas and it will mark the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the beginning of a new mission entitled Operation New Dawn. The last U.S. combat brigades have already left Iraq and over 90,000 troops have been redeployed. America’s armed forces will now focus on training and support activities, and only 50,000 soldiers remain in Iraq. The President will emphasize that the transition was possible because 640,000 fully trained troops in the Iraq National Army are now ready to assume the security burden. Yesterday the President visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital and he is expected to call former President George W. Bush today prior to his national address.