Disagreed about the war from its outset yet, no one can doubt president bush s support four for our troops and love of country. there were patriots who supported this war and patriots who opposed it. all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women and our hope s for iraq s future. if he greta: senator, why did president obama give this speech? well, this is a transition moment. combat operations inn%áñ general the commander in iraq indicated that we could withdraw 50,000 troops. i guess the president is trying to let american people know that combat operations are over and that s something that we ve been hoping for, for a long time. i think it is a missed opportunity by the president, frankly to lay the cards out