I was struck in the president's
speech by his frequent use of the phrase "the Iraqi regime" and his infrequent invocation of "Saddam Hussein" and "the Iraqi dictator." I
suspect that rhetorical choice was to avoid charges of over-personalizing the
conflict. But it may also point to the tough issue of de-Ba'athization of Iraq.
Saddam and his sons are the center of the problem, but they have help. [Posted
3/18.]
