There is a vigorous debate about the war in Iraq today, and we should not fear the debate. It's one of the great strengths of our democracy that we can discuss our differences openly and honestly -- even in times of war. Yet we must remember there is a difference between responsible and irresponsible debate -- and it's even more important to conduct this debate responsibly when American troops are risking their lives overseas.

The American people know the difference between responsible and irresponsible debate when they see it. They know the difference between honest critics who question the way the war is being prosecuted and partisan critics who claim that we acted in Iraq because of oil, or because of Israel, or because we misled the American people. And they know the difference between a loyal opposition that points out what is wrong, and defeatists who refuse to see that anything is right.

... So I ask all Americans to hold their elected leaders to account, and demand a debate that brings credit to our democracy -- not comfort to our adversaries.

In this comment Bush essentially accusses his war critics of Treason. I expect this from partisan commentators, but coming from the President its over the top. The Republican party has an army of partisan talk show hosts, television personalities, and editorial writers who spew reams of disingenuous bullshit on a daily basis. If Bush was really serious about cleaning up the nature of political rhetoric he would start in his own backyard. Furthermore, serious, constructive, and, in retrospect, correct criticisms of his Iraq policy coming from inside his administration have resulting in firings. The American people know that if you live in a glass house you shouldn't throw rocks.