gwen: we examine why the page could turn both ways with stan, deborah solomon, and john dickerson of "slate" magazine. >> covering history as it happens. live from our nation's capital, this is "washington week with gwen ifill," produced in association with national journal. funding for "washington week" is provided by -- >> what if you could just be you? what if you had your last bad date? what if she's out there? what if she's out there? what if you could beloved for exactly who you are? you can. >> funding for "washington week" is also provided by boeing, exxon mobil, the epics and excellence in journalism foundation, the annanburg, and contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. once again, live from washington, moderator gwen ifill. gwen: good evening. so tonight, we tackle the challenge of turning the page. president obama's oval office address provided a useful prame this week that was supposed to be about iraq but it was about so much else, including the economy, uncertain foreign policy and politics. why is august never a good month for barack obama?