Anonymous sources at the White House, speaking only on background, leaked to me tonight the rough text of George W. Bush's planned address tomorrow morning.
I figured I had to share it (below):
Secretary Paulson, Chairman Bernanke, bankers, traders and my fellow Americans: Major rescue efforts in the financial markets are now succeeding.
In the battle against financial instability, the United States and our allies are prevailing. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing the financial markets.
Our rescue efforts are being carried out with a combination of precision, and speed, and boldness the markets did not expect, and which the world has not seen before.
Now, stability is on the march.
We have turned the corner.
We are now seeing the last throes of the financial turmoil.
In particular, I am pleased to announce that overnight efforts have arrested the collapse of the #3 most troubled financial institution.
And yet, this sucker could still go down.
We still have difficult work to do in the markets. We are bringing order to financial sectors that remain turbulent. We are pursuing and purchasing bad debts that will be removed from balace sheets. We have begun the search for hidden credit default swaps and other derivatives, and already know hundreds of institutions that will be investigated.
And yet we must do more.
Today, I am seeking authorization to carry out a new strategy in in the markets - the EESA II - a plan that demands more from banks, and gives our financial institutions the reinforcements they need to complete their mission. Our goal is a free market that upholds the rule of compound interest, respects the rights of investors, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.
Our bankers will stay until the work is done.
Yet, be assured: as troubled financial institutions stand up, our bankers will stand down.
And then we will leave, and leave behind free markets.
Thank you for believing in our currency and our cause. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America.
Wow. That man will go down in history.