- The Washington Times - Friday, October 20, 2023

Brit Hume, Fox News senior political analyst, praised President Biden’s prime-time address about the war between Israel and Hamas, saying that “at least he talked about Iran.”

“I think it may be remembered as one of the best, if not the best speeches of his presidency,” Mr. Hume said on Fox’s coverage of the Thursday night address. “He was firm, he was unequivocal, he was strong, as he has been — particularly in recent days before he went to Israel, and while he was over there.”

Mr. Hume praised Mr. Biden’s effort of keeping Ukraine an important topic, saying he was “struck” that he spent as much time on Ukraine as the conflict in Israel. He said it was “a good thing that he did because the aid for Ukraine package that he is talking about, and further aid to Ukraine beyond that, is in jeopardy.”

“He mentioned, broadly speaking, the best reason for sticking with it in Ukraine, which is, ‘What would the rest of the world and its evildoers think if we pulled out of there?’” Mr. Hume said. “Because that comes on the heels of his having pulled out of Afghanistan, which arguably emboldened all of our adversaries around the world, particularly [Russian President] Vladimir Putin.”

One main point in Mr. Biden’s address was to weave together aid for Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, with a $100 billion aid package to be sent to Congress Friday.

He made parallels between Hamas and Mr. Putin, saying both want to “completely annihilate a neighboring democracy.”

Mr. Biden also said Iran has played a role in Russia in Ukraine and Hamas, along with other terrorist groups. 

“At least he talked about Iran,” Mr. Hume said. “He had been loath to do so in these remarks regarding the Israel atrocities since they happened. Tonight, there it was.”

“On two important counts, I think he did remarkably well and was quite strong, quite firm,” he said.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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