Due to begin at 8pm EST. Via CNN, will he appropriately credit Bush?

“CNN) – As White House aides put the finishing touches on President Obama’s Oval Office address marking the end of combat missions in Iraq, how will they negotiate the biggest elephant not in the room – former President George W. Bush?

In an interview with CNN’s John Roberts Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was decidedly unclear when it came to whether the president would tip his hat to his predecessor’s successful surge strategy – a strategy both Obama and Vice President Biden stridently opposed when they were both presidential candidates during the early stages of the 2008 race for the White House.

In his interview with CNN, Gibbs suggested the improved conditions in Iraq were the result of more than the decision to add more troops in 2007.

“We knew that adding those men and women in there would improve the security situation, but the reason we are where we are today is because of an improved political situation,” Gibbs said on CNN’s American Morning.

“We know that the Sunni awakening, Sunni tribes in the western part of Iraq began not to fight with but to fight against al Qaeda. And all of those circumstances led to a point in which we’re at today,” he continued. “I will say this, john – I think many people believe that when the president made a commitment to end our combat mission in Iraq by August 31st, 2010, I am not sure many people believed that he could pull it off.”

Not likely he’ll credit Bush. Megalomaniacs are constitutionally incapable of that.

So get ready for another rambling example of “Perpendicular-Personal-Pronoun-I-Itus”.

Updates and commentary as it develops.

UPDATE: Well, well, he gave a nod to Bush. Didn’t sound sincere and perhaps a bit calculated. Maybe a stab at grabbing a bit of the “independents” good will?

This is only half true.

“As we do, I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future.”

Sorry, there is no such thing as a “patriot” that opposed this war or stood in the way of the troops who succeeded in freeing Iraq. Obama and his cohorts stood in the way anyway they could to stop the war short of a victory. They deserved no credit at all. He included.

He didn’t even have the guts to admit he was wrong. Coward.

Overall it was as expected, rambling self-grandizement. One thing is for sure though. Whatever happens in Iraq now is his responsibility. He owns it.