Mike Pence: “some say the U.S. will not win in Iraq, but in the American political debate, we can do better than that. Last week at…”

“some say the U.S. will not win in Iraq, but in the American political debate, we can do better than that. Last week at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, the President of the United States did just that. President Bush delivered a forceful and effective defense of our strategy and the stakes facing our Nation in Iraq. Along with thousands of other midshipmen, I had the privilege of joining the President that day, and I have to tell you, from inside the arena, it appeared that the President was both at ease and determined. He pounded the facts about enemy, their aims and our progress in Iraq into the American debate. From the outset, the President set the tone defining the first war of the 21st Century with the declaration that the enemy must be defeated. He cited their war against humanity, while he released a recently declassified national strategy for victory, which Americans can read at WhiteHouse.gov. For me, the central message came when the President said, ``We will stay as long as necessary to complete the mission.'' This clarion call and the continued determination of the American people was timely and meaningful, and an important challenge to a Nation that believes in freedom and has always demonstrated throughout our history that when the mission is just and the mission is clear, Americans complete the mission. ____________________”