By Dr. John Jones
Professor of Communication
From the beginning of his administration, I have contended that President Bush should learn a lesson from Ronald Reagan and Franklin Roosevelt about the importance of frequently updating the public on the nation’s progress through televised (and in Roosevelt’s case, radio) addresses.
More than a mere rehearsal of American values, such discourse provides reassurance to the public and demonstrates decisiveness and leadership. Bush’s televised address to the nation on Sept. 7, although slow in coming, appears to have been an important move in that direction.
First, the address reported the progress that has taken place in both Afghanistan and Iraq. And the results are impressive. Two-thirds of al-Qaida’s known leaders have been neutralized. Terrorist front groups have been uncovered. And much has taken place behind the scenes to guard against a repeat of Sept. 11. In Iraq, 42 of the 55 most-wanted allies of Saddam Hussein have been neutralized. Enemy weapons have been seized and hundreds of “Saddam loyalists” have met their fate.
On balance, not bad. Not bad at all.
Some will ask of the whereabouts of bin Laden and Hussein and why they have not yet been captured, forgetting the long-term nature of our campaign. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask themselves where these men and their subordinates would be and what they would be doing had not the United States acted as it did.
Second, the speech reminded Americans of the nature of the fight. At a time when we have come to expect instantaneous results, it is easy to forget that these are new waters that must be charted with patience. Along the way, there will be setbacks, for in so many ways, we are learning as we go. The campaign against terrorism and its perpetrators is unlike any battle that has ever been fought — in Bush’s words, it is “a lengthy war…fought on many fronts in many places.”
Here, the president returned to the theme he first emphasized in his speech to a joint session of Congress, 10 days after Sept. 11. From the beginning, the president has maintained that victory would not be achieved overnight, nor would the rebuilding of Iraq. Just as the rebuilding of Germany and Japan took years after World War II had ended, we should expect a cost of both time and money in this endeavor. But the long-term benefits outweigh those costs, just as they did more than a half-century ago.
Third, the address announced the president’s intentions to seek military and financial aid from the United Nations. While the U.S would lead the coalition, it is clear that the President desires a multinational front at this crucial stage.
Finally, Bush used the speech to request an additional $87 billion to finance the efforts. He estimated that $66 billion of this funding would go toward military and intelligence operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The remainder would be used to help rebuild the two nations.
Thus far, few Democrats have expressed their intention to vote against the president’s request. They have rightly concluded that, whether one is for or against the war, the United States has committed itself to this task and must finish what it has begun.
However, we can expect the loyal opposition to demand in return a rollback of $87 billion on the tax cut just as the tax cuts may be starting to take effect. An article in one of last week’s issues of The New York Times reported that most economists have predicted a 4 percent economic growth during the next two quarters, which would be superb. This potential expansion must not be thwarted by reversing our course when we may be on the brink of recovery.
Nor should the ongoing battle against terrorism be delayed. Nor should the people of Iraq, with whom we have no quarrel, be told that they must wait any longer than absolutely necessary for water, power, roads, schools, medical facilities and, most of all, democracy.
The President has made his case. Now it is time for the United States Congress to act to ensure that our struggle against terrorism succeeds and that Iraq becomes a free and independent nation as quickly as possible.
September 18, 2003