Excerpt from a Speech on Jan 10, 2006 by President Bush to the VFW.

"Our work in Iraq in 2006 will be focused on three critical areas. On the political side, we will help Iraqis consolidate the democratic gains they made last year, and help them build democratic institutions, a unified government, and a lasting free society. On the security side, we will stay on the offense against the terrorists and Saddamists. We will continue to strengthen the Iraqi security forces -- with an emphasis on improving the capabilities of the Iraqi police, so that over the next 12 months, Iraqi forces can take control of more territory from our coalition and take the lead in the fight.

And on the economic side, we will continue reconstruction efforts, and help Iraq's new government implement difficult reforms that are necessary to build a modern economy and a better life. In all three aspects of our strategy -- democracy and security and reconstruction -- we're learning from our experiences, and we're fixing what hasn't worked. And in the year ahead, we will continue to make every change that will help us complete the mission and achieve the victory we all want. "

I am tired of the rhetoric about the Bush Administration not having a "plan" for winning the war in Iraq.  The President touched on 3 keys areas as the focus for winning the war in Iraq, Government, Security and Economy.  In a previous post I talked about giving a presentation to a group of College Republicans about what it takes to win the war.  I added a fourth category to the Presidents core 3 with the need for building infrastructure.

As the coalition forces continue to train the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi government continues to grow and put the necessary laws and rules in place to establish a sovereign nation, Halliburton and the many other contract firms will continue to build up the infrastructure.  All of these factors will help provide for the growth of the economy. 

The key to this plan is that it does not happen overnight.  It doesn't happen in 3 years or 5 years.  It can take an entire generation to create a stable and self sufficient nation.  The experience the US has in nation building goes back decades.  The obvious examples are Germany and Japan from WWII, South Korea, Bosnia and Kosovo.  The geographic locations have been different but the foundation of the nation building exercise is always very similar.  Build a government, build security, build an economy and build the infrastructure.  As those items progress the people within the country will begin to see the differences in their lives as it improves.  As the lifestyle of the residents improves, the support for the insurgency will begin to weaken.  The security forces will eventually have the ability to train themselves and police themselves.  The coalition forces will move into an advisory capacity.  Again, this does not happen overnight.  It takes time and patience. 

As lifestyle improves for the Iraqi people, and it will, we will accomplish the most important part of the nation building exercise.  Winning the Hearts and Minds of the people.  Every child that get's candy from an American soldier will remember that.  In Afghanistan I had a little girl come up to me and say "Thank you for saving us".  At that moment I knew that we were doing the right thing.  I have heard and read many similar stories from Iraq veterans.  The soldiers know what is at stake.  The children are the future of Iraq and they will remember the difference the American troops made in their life.  When insurgents were killing people, the children will know that the American soldiers were fighting to save them. 

It is imperative that we do not set a timeline that we cannot keep.  In Bosnia in the late 90's President Clinton kept setting and moving the timeline for removing troops from Bosnia.  I was in Bosnia when one of those dates passed and the troops knew that we weren't going home anytime soon.  The troops understand what is at stake in Iraq and are willing to return 3-4 times to make a difference for the greater good of the world.

Establishing a stable democratic government within the heart  of the Middle East is imperative for the safety of the world.  We could have invaded any given Middle Eastern country and been justified with the State Sponsor of Terror argument.  Iraq was the most logical country for a number of factors including its geographic location, its ties to terrorism, its history of violence in the region, the sadistic dictator, the number of Al Qaeda that fled Afghanistan to Iraq, the number of terrorist training camps and of course, the WMD.  All of those factors contributed to the decision to invade Iraq. 

America cannot fail and America cannot lose our will to fight.  The election on Nov 7 will be a test of our resolve.  Are we willing to commit to the long term fight knowing that it will be costly?  I believe we can win in Iraq and I believe that we will win the War on Terror.  I believe that America is the best country in the world.

Most important, I believe the American people will have their voice on Nov 7.