9 PM: The president went with the podium tonight. Odd.

9:01 PM: We thought the elections would bring stability to Iraq. We forgot that terrorists hate elections.

9:02 PM: First blaming of Iran for inciting terror. That was fast.

9:03 PM: Bush throws a bone to the Iraq Study Group. They were right that the U.S. shouldn't lose.

9:05 PM: Eighty percent of sectarian violence happens within 30 miles of Baghdad. Hence the priority.

9:06 PM: A new Iraqi military commander? Then people will go door-to-door gaining the trust of Iraqis? 

9:07 PM: This is what will be different: We cleared, left, and the terrorists returned. This time, we'll go into no-go neighborhoods and smoke out those perpetuating sectarian violence. 

9:08 PM: What the president can't promise: no more suicide bombings or assassinations. 

9:10 PM: Whoa. Iraqi forces to take control of all Iraqi provinces by November.  

9:11 PM: The Iraqi government will rethink de-Baathification laws.  

9:11 PM: More U.S. advisors are on the way. (Another hat tip to the ISG.) More reconstruction teams. More reconciliation, more strengthening of moderates, a new reconstruction coordinator. 

9:13 PM: And, of course, the Al Qaeda threat. Anbar province is the hotbed. Tribal leaders are increasingly on our side. 4000 more US troops to Anbar to deny al Qaeda safe haven. 

9:14 PM: "Iran is providing material support for attacks on U.S. troops." 

9:15 PM: "We will work with others to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons and dominating the region." 

9:16 PM: Rice leaves on Friday for the Middle East.  

9:17 PM: The people of the Middle East are looking at Iraq to see whether the United States will stay or go. 

9:19 PM: Don't expect a textbook victory. Don't expect a surrender on the deck of a battleship. (FP: You should probably forget that Mission Accomplished item on the deck of that other battleship.)

9:23 PM: Scaling back troops means the rest of the troops stay longer. Surging hastens the day the troops can come home. 

9:24 PM: New bipartisan working group is to be formed. Aim is to increase the size of the active-duty armed forces.  

9:25 PM: America, you need more patience, more sacrifice, more resolve.