No Exit

Aamer Madhani and Mike Dorning write in the Chicago Tribune: "As the war's architect, Bush has spent five years making the public case for it, cajoling allies for support and battling to stop Congress from setting a timetable for troop withdrawals. But with Bush having successfully ensured that troop levels will remain largely unchanged through the end of his presidency, the debate over how to proceed in the years to come has now, it seems, been left to others."

Peter Grier writes in the Christian Science Monitor that the Petraeus pause "could effectively push major future decisions on Iraq into the administration of the next president. In that sense it could mark the end of President Bush's role in a conflict whose outcome might well define his standing in history."

On ABC's World News, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulous summed up yesterday's testimony this way:

Gibson: "George, did anything change today?"

Stephanopoulous: "Not much, Charlie. I think this was one, big exercise in kicking the can down the road."

Steven Lee Myers and Thom Shanker write in the New York Times: "Mr. Bush is scheduled to outline his policy for the months ahead at the White House on Thursday, and despite relentless questioning on the cost and conduct of the war, Democrats appeared to lack support to force a significant change in his approach."

Bush's Tears

Baker and Weisman write in The Post that Bush made no public comment on the testimony yesterday, "but teared up at a White House ceremony awarding the Medal of Honor to a Navy SEAL who died in Iraq. He plans to address the nation tomorrow, when aides expect him to adopt Petraeus's plan."

They write that "just as Bush gave the Medal of Honor to a war hero the day after announcing his troop-buildup strategy in January 2007, he gave another one yesterday.

"The East Room ceremony honoring Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor was emotional. Bush wiped tears from his eyes and put his arm around Monsoor's family as the SEAL's death was recounted -- he threw himself onto a grenade to save two fellow SEALs. 'We see his legacy in the city of Ramadi,' Bush said, 'which has gone from one of the most dangerous places in Iraq to one of the most safest.'"

Here's the transcript and video of the event. Here's an AP photo of Bush's tears.

He actually did look quite stricken, particularly as he finished up his comments. "Mr. and Mrs. Monsoor: America owes you a debt that can never be repaid. This nation will always cherish the memory of your son. We will not let his life go in vain. And this nation will always honor the sacrifice he made. May God comfort you."

What was going on inside his head as he contemplated this amazing act of heroism in a war he launched by choice? There are so many possibilities.