Pence Discusses President's Iraq Speech on FoxNews' Hannity

Interview

Excerpts:

On the Surge

Congressman Pence: Two things, Sean. Number one, he didn't give credit where credit is due to his predecessor, who against withering domestic criticism refused to accept defeat in Iraq. And secondly, he used the word "victory" at the tail end of the speech, but it's not at all clear he was actually referring to Iraq when he did it. It was something about "there are no ceremonies for surrender." I thought this speech was wanting. I thought it lacked gratitude toward his predecessor. He said tonight that he and President George W. Bush disagreed about the war. Well, Sean, the American people know they didn't just disagree about the war. They disagreed about the surge. And then-Senator Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi were wrong about the surge and they were wrong to oppose it and the American people know it.

On Democrats' Opposition to the War

Congressman Pence: …in late 2007, then-Senator Barack Obama was still saying that the surge wasn't working even though the evidence was overwhelming that it was. Look, I get it. I understand how difficult, with his left flank, it would be for him to acknowledge that he was wrong. That Nancy Pelosi was wrong. That Harry Reid was wrong. That the 10 votes they took in the House of Representatives for a timetable for withdrawal and essentially setting the table for surrender were wrong. At least he could have said tonight, that "George W. Bush and I disagreed on strategy and tactics but I admire his determination and his willingness as President of the United States to see this through, despite overwhelming public opposition." He didn't say that. He didn't give credit where credit is due and I think that's a disappointment.

On the Economy

Congressman Pence: All across the country people are focused right now on jobs and spending but tonight on the final day of combat operations in Iraq, we were all looking for him to acknowledge the success of our military and to cast a vision. Where was the language about, "bear any burden, pay any price to ensure the survival of freedom?" Instead he was back to championing more spending, a national energy tax. It was a missed opportunity. It lacked vision. He didn't give credit where credit is due. I think the American people get that.

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