Today's vote deals a severe blow to the ambitions of the terrorists and sends a clear message to the world that the people of Iraq will decide the future of their country through peaceful elections, not violent insurgency.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

He wanted to let them know he was thinking of them and their families throughout this holiday, and the American people are behind them.

The administration will aggressively fight the war on terror in an effort to protect the American people while at the same time upholding the civil liberties of the American people. The president is doing both of these things and will continue to do both of these things.

He thanked them for their service to our country. And wanted to let them know ... that the American people are behind them and support them.

It appears that the level of violence was well below the last election.