The Times December 15, 2006, Gerard Baker

"George Bush has wisely decided not to ruin everybody’s Christmas by announcing his plans for a new strategy in Iraq before the end of the year. It would have been preferable if the White House had not added to the general impression of disarray in Washington by saying initially that he would speak next week and then saying he would wait. But in grand strategy as in courtship, even when you are inclined to haste, it is better to be right than quick. We will have to wait until the new year.

"It is unlikely that the delay is caused by President Bush’s desire to ponder more deeply the findings of the Iraq Study Group, released last week. Rarely in the history of the deliberations of great men has the shrift accorded their views been shorter. Not that you would know it from reading the world’s press."