FOREIGN AFFAIRS

GRAPHIC: Breaking Down the Speeches: Obama vs. Bush

By Kenneth Chamberlain

Updated: June 23, 2011 | 7:43 a.m.
June 23, 2011 | 7:42 a.m.

When President Obama announced Wednesday night the phased withdrawal of about 30,000 troops from Afghanistan, it came almost a decade after President George W. Bush first announced on October 7, 2001, the start of military operations in that country.

Below are graphics developed from Wordle.net and based on the text of President Obama's prepared text and the text of President Bush's speech, available on whitehouse.gov. The more words are used in each speech, the larger and bolder they appear in each graphic.

President Obama's June 22, 2011, speech

President Bush's October 7, 2001, speech

Kerry Wanted to Bomb Syria

How Much Does It Cost to Dig For Jimmy Hoffa?

When Journalists Have Drones

Google's Fight for NSA Transparency, Explained

President George W. Bush's speech announcing military operations in Afghanistan, October 7, 2001. (Wordle.net/Selected Speeches of President George W. Bush, 2001-2008, White House website)

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.