Bush Address on Iraq Delayed Till New Year

ABC News’ Ann Compton Reports: Until yesterday the White House staff aimed at a big presidential speech before Christmas — defining a new way forward in Iraq.

But as the President has heard from a variety of voices on Iraq it became clear there are no easy answers or quick solutions.

After the President spoke by teleconference with his commanders on the ground in Iraq White House Press Secretary Tony Snow announced that a decision on new policy will have to wait until after the first of the year.

With the President at the teleconference was his incoming Secretary of Defense Robert Gates who will be sworn in Monday to succeed Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.