Watch What They Do, Not What They Say

Watching Washington politics these days is a lot like Kremlinology. You have to look at what lies behind the spin. Glenn Reynolds makes a perceptive observation regarding Bush's address televised in prime time last night.

BUSH DOUBLES DOWN: I just watched Bush's speech. Nothing new there for anyone who's been paying attention to the speeches he's been giving over the past couple of weeks. But one big thing struck me: In this national televised speech, Bush went out of his way to take responsibility for the war. He repeatedly talked about "my decision to invade Iraq," even though, of course, it was also Congress's decision. He made very clear that, ultimately, this was his war, and the decisions were his.

Why did he do that? Because he thinks we're winning, and he wants credit. By November 2006, and especially November 2008, he thinks that'll be obvious, and he wants to lay down his marker now on what he believed -- and what the other side did. That's my guess, anyway.

Read it here.

I think da prof is right. There is a subtext of swelling confidence in the recent administration pronouncements regarding the war, and the Democrats are desperately trying to change the subject. The tide is running in Bush's favor again, and that, my friends, is a very good thing.