SO MUCH OF THE SPEECH was what we’ve come to expect from George W. Bush. Yet there was a freshness to it, as well as some odd moments. And you can count on this: The war will start soon.

Again distinguishing himself from his unmentioned predecessor, Bush said “we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, other presidents, and other generations” but instead “confront them with focus, and clarity, and courage.” The president was daring, refusing to understand his accomplishments so far as “a good record” and instead declaring it “a good start.” He invited Congress to join him in “the next bold steps to serve our fellow citizens.”