George Bush State of the Union AddressI have found myself thinking a lot lately about what I would like to hear the President say tonight in his State of the Union Address. Unfortunately, what I’ve heard in the news about what is expected is simply disappointing.

We need a leader right now. We need a leader who will stand up to the rising tide of criticism in a hostile congress and do what needs to be done. We need a leader who will not bend to the loud minority of ‘peace activists’ who are trying to relive their glory days of the 1960s.

We need a leader who will take politics out of the War with Jihadists.

We have heard the democrats declare that the Battle of Iraq can only be won politically. They are wrong. Politics have interfered with our ability to win that battle and have put our Troops in danger. The president needs to tell them they are wrong.

All the domestic issues that the politicians have been arguing over for years will mean nothing if our image in the world continues to be one of weakness. While they are important issues, the only issue of real importance right now is how we go forward in the Battle of Iraq.

President Bush needs to never apologize for portraying strength. The two times I have been most disappointed in him were when he acted horrified over the media driven ‘controversy’ of Abu Ghraib. . The other time was when he apologized for using American phrases like ‘Bring it on’ or ‘Your either with us or against us’.

Mr. President, do you remember that your approval ratings were highest when you were exuding strength. They started falling when you began to cave in to political pressures.

I want to hear the president stand up and tell Congress and the American people that he will do what needs to be done in the Global War on Terror whether they/we like it or not. I want to hear him speak with the passion that I’ve heard in his voice in the past, when he was talking of his conviction that we must - we MUST - prevail in this battle. We didn’t start this war. The jihadists brought war to us. He needs to tell the American people and the world that we will not falter in our dedication to ending the war the jihadists have waged against us for many years.

My hope, my dream, is that he will not only increase the troops in Iraq, but that he will also change the Rules of Engagement so that our Troops are no longer tied down to the point that they can barely even defend themselves.

I suppose we have yet to find out if he has the strength and insight to know that his greatness will rise or fall on how he conducts this war as Commander and Chief. Will he stand up to his critics as Abraham Lincoln did, or he will cave in and ride out the rest of his presidency in mediocrity?

He faces the same criticisms Lincoln faced. Will he have the moral courage Lincoln had? That’s yet to be seen.

My hope is that the president can not send our Soldiers to war without giving them the means and permission to do their jobs. He needs to tell the American people, the world and our Soldiers tonight that they need to do what is necessary and he will run interference for them. He needs to tell us and them that all the might and will of the United States stands with them and they will not be denied whatever resources necessary to win this war.

He needs to tell Congress and the American people to quit whining and start being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

In short, he needs to stand up tonight and behave and speak like a war-time leader.

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I would love to hear him give the speech that Jules Crittenden wrote for him.

Dr. Sanity wants to hear the declaration: You. Shall. Not. Pass.

UPDATE: The Median Sib responds to the President’s speech.