Rove At times on Aug. 30, it sounded as if Barack Obama didn’t know what kind of speech he wanted to give.

Was it a foreign-policy address aimed at assuring a world-wide audience of America’s resolve in the war against militant Islam?

Or was it an election stump speech to confirm to voters that the economy is job No. 1 for this president and his party?

The speech’s best moments were those praising the commitment, courage and sacrifice of America’s military. The president powerfully said that “our troops are the steel in our ship of state,” and all who serve join “an unbroken line of heroes that stretches from Lexington to Gettysburg; from Iwo Jima to Inchon; from Khe Sanh to Kandahar.”

For someone who had been such a vocal war opponent, he was generous in acknowledging what our troops accomplished — defeating “a regime that had terrorized its people” and helping “Iraq seize the chance for a better future.”

Because of our troops, he said, “Iraq has the opportunity to embrace a new destiny, even though many challenges remain.”

As a foreign-policy address, however, the speech missed the mark. While Obama did acknowledge the U.S. “intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership” in the world, most foreign observers will probably remember the president’s tone of haste, withdrawal and even retreat.

His phrase, “It is time to turn the page,” caught many an ear around the world — and not to America’s advantage.

Obama’s was not the confi dent voice of Harry S. Truman promising to protect Europe and Japan against “outright aggression and ... the threat of further armed attack.”

And the president did not sound like a determined Dwight Eisenhower explaining America’s commitment to South Korea’s transition to democracy after the Korean War by saying, “We may not now relax our guard nor cease our quest.”

Instead, Obama’s address was more reminiscent of Sen. George McGovern’s plea in the 1972 presidential campaign to “come home, America.” It sounded like he couldn’t head for the exit door quickly enough.

As much as he may wish, Obama cannot ignore Iraq or withdraw prematurely from Afghanistan. He has ownership of both wars; it’s part of his job description. He will share in the wars’ success or be blamed if they’re lost.

The world needs a determined U.S. It is in the security, diplomatic and economic interests of our nation to provide to Iraq and Afghanistan the same patient leadership we provided in Europe and Asia.

We face new threats from Iran. China and Russia are flexing their muscles. Telegraphing to the world that America is no longer a dependable ally is the worst possible message a president can send.

Karl Rove is former senior advisor to President George W. Bush.