Bush Speech: Thumbs Up, And Down
Dems Say Iraq Plan Lacks Specifics; Others Say 'Stay The Course'
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Play CBS Video Video Families Of Fallen On Iraq Among those who watched President Bush's speech on Iraq were military families who have lost loved ones in the war. Bill Whitaker got a sampling of their reaction.
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Video Pres. Bush's TV Speech Defending the Iraqi war, President Bush called for patience and resolve in his primetime speech, but refused to set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. CBS News' Bill Plante reports.
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Video McCain On Bush's Strategy President Bush said that he plans to stay the course in Iraq. The Early Show's Harry Smith talked to Sen. John McCain of Arizona to get his reaction to last night's speech.
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"I'm a Marine," says Cpl. Chase Krebbs (watching the speech near Camp Pendleton), agreeing there should be no timetable for leaving Iraq. "That's why I joined, to do this stuff, to serve and protect." (AP)
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"It is not enough for the president to say 'stay the course' and make a few minor adjustments," says New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. "The president needs to lay out a concrete plan." (AP)
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"I think the president failed to talk about the real situation in Iraq," says California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters. "He referred to us as winning, when in fact we have soldiers dying every day." (AP)
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Interactive Bush Presidency The president's agenda, plus facts, figures, major events and key personalities.
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
Political analyst Larry Sabato, of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, says it's unlikely the president will be able to stem growing public uncertainty with a single speech.
Sabato says more and more Americans are starting to see Iraq as "Vietnam without the jungle."
Other Democratic Senators, asked for a response to Mr. Bush's speech, tended to reiterate support for troops, but criticize the president's speech for lacking a straightforward plan.
"Most Americans are torn - we know we have to fight a strong war on terror, but at the same time, nobody sees a light at the end of the tunnel," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. "It is not enough for the president to say 'stay the course' and make a few minor adjustments. The president needs to lay out a concrete plan."
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, agreed.
"Today, we have no realistic strategy to reduce the risks to our soldiers and achieve our goals. While our military has done a superb job, our civilian leadership has not, and our soldiers are paying the price every day," Kerry said. "When the vice president absurdly claims the 'insurgency is in its last throes,' he insults the common sense and intelligence of the American people."
The president gave his speech in the state that has suffered the second highest casualties in the past year - North Carolina. The state with the worst death toll is California.
Watching the speech Tuesday at Mary's Family Restaurant in Oceanside, Calif. - where the main street is lined with shops catering to nearby Camp Pendleton - Pat Tolford said she supports the president's effort to shore up support for the war.
"I think he's just trying to get everyone behind him," she said over a plate of fish and chips.
Asked if he succeeded, she responded it was hard to say.
Restaurant owner Jose Hernandez said his customers continue to support the war despite the mounting casualties. One customer recently stopped in to tell him that her son died in Iraq during his second tour there.
"We have a lot of kids still there. We can't stop supporting them until they come home," he said.
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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