The president of the United States had an opportunity last Tuesday night to show a nation the true nature of his character and the true example of his leadership abilities. He came up wanting in both areas.

The president broke from tradition to speak to a waiting nation on what his decision and plan would be in dealing with terrorists in Afghanistan.

He appeared in front of 5,000 of America's pride at the U.S. Military Academy. He was greeted not as a great leader would be with smiles and cheers, but by icy indifference. Some cadets were actually shown dozing off during his speech.

It took the president three months to put together a strategy that included nothing of substance and contained enough backpedaling and political rhetoric to sink a proverbial battleship.

The president justified his three-month delay in sending troops as an answer to his general's request by saying that the troops were not requested until 2010. We don't believe that; if this was true, his general would not have made such a big issue of wanting troops now instead of later.

We need a president who has the courage to stand up to our country's problems and be willing to take them on without fear of his political base.

We are going to pray for the additional 30,000 men and woman who will be heading to Afghanistan and we are going to pray harder that their generals on the ground, who will directly lead them, have more courage and fortitude than the commanding chief who sent them.