To Which Audience Did the President Speak?

From the speech

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of extremist challenges. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

We're also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence-sharing and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

I don't think the American people were the primary audience for Wednesday's speech. I don't think the Iraqi people or leadership were the primary audience for the speech, either. Rather I think this speech was aimed at the primary mischief makers in Iraq, which would be the Mullahs ruling Iran, and Assad the Lesser's government in Syria.

If they haven't already soiled their pants, they probably will soon, that speech was a direct threat and provocation to those groups, and if they continue to support the violence in Iraq, violence will follow them into their own territories.

That was the implicit promise within the speech.

Of course, if you read Reuters and listen to Rep. Kucinich, you might think that's a bad thing.