Bush has needed an address like this for awhile now. I hope he makes a habit of it (but not too often). This is how you frame the debate. There is something to be said for staying above the fray and keeping yourself on a level above the ankle-biters, and there is a time for striking back, or at least striking out and forward and communicating your purpose and reassuring everyone you have it in hand. That can be done without being petty and without elevating the critics. It can be done in a way that shames them, in fact. It's delicate balancing act to know when to stay aloof and when and how to speak. I think this President has trouble finding that line. One has to say that tonight was better late than never, however.

Bush needs to be a presence to give his supporters something to hang their hats on, something to follow. He failed in that around the time of the Miers nomination and really lost the thread. He's been getting it back on track recently, and tonight's address helped. The country needed this.

Here is the transcript.

Update: Reynolds makes an interesting point:

I noticed the responsibility thing, too, and there was no follow-up. "I take responsibility..." and...? The paragraphs weren't constructed right if you know what I mean. Something was left hanging. I sort of dismissed it as me putting myself too deeply in the shoes of the opposition -- viewing it as they would view it ("Oh sure, he takes responsibility...what does that mean? He should resign then!"), but I think Glenn's point is an interesting one, and may just be correct.

Update2: Michelle Malkin did a live-blog, and noted some of the FOX punditry.

Update3: Roundup of reaction at PJ Media, here.