Hume pretty much gave up on Bush's horrendous communication skills. He usually can't get enough of the codpiece when he speaks, but he had nothing to work with tonight.

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HUME: It is probably past the point now where it makes much difference politically if the President delivers his speech in a scintillating way or whether it's a particularly well written speech or not a particularly well written speech---what matters it seems to me is likely to prove the plan itself...

It rubbed off on his analysis as well.....I may be missing something here, but don't the talking heads get off on grading important Presidential speeches? Isn't delivery a key ingredient to help sell your plan to the public? Even Hinderaker thought he bombed:

In the past, I’ve often said that President Bush has been more effective in televised speeches than he has been given credit for. Not tonight. I thought he came across as stiff, nervous, and anxious to get it over with. The importance of the issue seemed to overwhelm the President’s ability to communicate. I suspect that only a few listeners absorbed more than a general impression of what the new strategy is all about.

Fear not all ye wingnuts, Hugh Hewitt comes to the rescue as only he can:

“Noble and Necessary”
Posted by Hugh Hewitt | 9:24 PM

President Bush was at his best tonight: serious, detailed, and above all, resolute. He spoke to many audiences...

You can always get a fair assessment from the Cowardly Lion...Sadly, No! has more..