President Bush tonight committed extra strength toward the goal of victory in Iraq. I have stood by for more than three years as a supporter of this war, but even I have to say "It's about bloody time!" For too long now the war effort has centered around keeping the media happy, instead of focusing on winning. Americans (and their supporters, like Britain and Australia, Italy and Poland) have fought valiantly and died heroes. But if the telling of the tale was left strictly to the media, one would be led to believe that these brave men were rapists, baby killers and soulless sadists.

It's time to bring an end to this thing - a victorious conclusion. And if it takes 20,000 more troops and $10 Billion more, it will be worth it to smash the enemy. To make it clear that America is not weak, and that it will continue to rout out evil.

The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security. Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue – and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.

Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world – a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties, and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them – and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and grandchildren.

Amen.