al-Zarqawi Thursday

"U.S. forces delivered justice to the most wanted terrorist in Iraq"

President Bush gave a speech early this morning, on the death of al-Qaida leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. air strike.

Bush gets it right, and quickly credits our men and women in uniform, while understanding the fight is not over:

President Bush said Thursday that the death of al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq is "a severe blow" to the al-Qaida terrorist network and a decisive victory in the U.S.-led war against terrorism. "

Now Zarqawi has met his end, and this violent man will never murder again," Bush said in the Rose Garden.

Americans "can be justly proud" of U.S. fighting men and women, the president said.

"We have tough days ahead of us in Iraq that will require the continuing patience of the American people," he said.

Here's the official transcript.

This is big, not only did the President need this, our troops needed it. I can only imagine the left downplaying Zarqawi's death, and further undermining the war effort. Our troops aren't immune to the effects of hurtful protestors. Telling them what they are doing is wrong, and illegal couldn't be more harmful for morale.This has been a long time coming.

Thank you, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen, for taking out Zarqawi and fighting one hell of a fight.