For only the second time in his term, President Barack Obama addressed the American people from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, this time to talk about the end of combat operations in Iraq. He then turned to the war in Afghanistan and the economy.
While it was not as dramatic as Douglas MacArthur accepting the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri to mark the end of World War II, Obama declared the war in Iraq over.
Obama talked about the changes that took place in the more than 7-year war in Iraq. A war to disarm a state became a war to disarm an insurgency, said the president, who praised the troops. As commander in chief, I am incredibly proud of their service.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, said Obama -- who added that he had promised to end military operations there when he ran for the presidency in 2008. He stressed that Iraqi forces would be handling matters in the future.
Noting that the war in Afghanistan was approaching its 10th year, Obama called for renewed focus on military operations there.
We will disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida, pledged Obama. He said that the end of combat operations in Iraq would free up resources in Afghanistan -- and that he would send more troops to that troubled nation. Obama compared his plans to the surge in Iraq.
Obama called for more operations in Afghanistan during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Closing his Oval Office address, the president called for a post-9/11 version of the GI Bill to honor veterans who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq -- and a way to jump-start the American dream and the economy.
Our most urgent task is to restore our economy, said Obama, who added that a trillion had been spent on military operations in the last decades, leading to record debts and deficits.
Obama called for a new version of the GI Bill, the federal education program that helped veterans fund higher education after World War II. Obama noted that his grandfather had received GI Bill benefits.
Our troops are the steel of our ship of state, said Obama, who added that they will help steer that ship even during the roughest of waters.
Politicians from Florida quickly responded to the presidents speech.
Former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate election, weighed in minutes after the speech.
The withdrawal of American combat brigades from Iraq marks an important milestone in a struggle that has eliminated security threats and helped democracy take root there, said Rubio. Because of Americas commitment and sacrifices in Iraq, the Iraqi people, the region and the world are all safer today.
Tonight, I join the American people in honoring, remembering and thanking the brave men and women who fulfilled their duty and have helped bring a truly responsible end to combat operations in Iraq, where the Iraqi people now govern and protect their sovereign nation, added Rubio. We should thank our troops who, under the leadership of Generals David Petraeus and Ray Odierno, brought Iraq back from the brink. We should also acknowledge President Bush and members of Congress from both parties who did what was right in 2007 by supporting the troop surge that has made Iraq a safer and more stable nation. Their wisdom, political courage and faith in our troops have helped make this important milestone possible.
In sharp contrast to Rubio, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, the Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race, cheered the president for bringing the war to an end.
"After seven long and hard-fought years, our combat mission in Iraq is finally coming to a close, said Meek. "We must first recognize the enormous sacrifices of our courageous men and women in uniform and their families. They have excelled in their mission and performed beyond our greatest expectations. Florida is home to nearly 2 million veterans and it is our responsibility to honor their sacrifices with outstanding care when they return. Above all, we thank them for their service to our country.
"Tonight, the president kept his promise to the American people to end combat operations responsibly and help the Iraqi people take full control over their own future, added Meek. Our service men and women have been away from their families for too long. They have missed birthdays, holidays, and family celebrations. It is time to bring our men and women in uniform home and I look forward to seeing every last one of them return from Iraq by the end of 2011.
"Our mission in Iraq cannot be separated from our domestic priorities, concluded Meek. As we cope with the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, we need to start making investments here at home. Bringing the war in Iraq to a responsible close moves us one step closer to that goal.
Reach Kevin Derby at derby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
