In his nationally televised speech Monday night, President Bush outlined five steps to securing the future of Iraq; however, both supporters and critics said the president’s speech lacked in substance.

Although he said Bush’s delivery was good, Josh Reicks, president of the ISU College Republicans, said he was disappointed with the lack of responsibility assumed by the administration in general.

“Republicans pride themselves on taking responsibility for their own actions. I would like to know their definition of responsibility,” Reicks said. “No one loses their position. No one is sanctioned by the president. I think he needs to rein in his staff, especially Donald Rumsfeld and the defense department.”

The first step of Bush’s plan will go into effect after June 30 when the American coalition will hand over full sovereignty to an interim government of Iraqi citizens who will prepare for national elections.

“By keeping our promise on June 30,” Bush said, “the coalition will demonstrate that we have no interest in occupation.”

The second step is to aid in the establishment of stability and security the newly democratic Iraq requires.

Working as allies, the American military will help Iraqi forces gain experience and confidence in dealing with their country’s enemies, he said.

“After June 30, American and other forces will still have important duties. American military forces in Iraq will operate under American command as part of a multinational force authorized by the United Nations,” Bush said.

Kimberly Conger, assistant professor of political science, said Bush failed to explain how the Iraqi forces will accept the American-led forces, as well as other national defense forces.

“On paper, the American military works well with the Iraqi civilian forces,” Conger said. “The success probably depends on who the Iraqi leaders are, and they have not been announced yet.”

The third step of Bush’s plan is to continue rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure so that Iraqis can gain economic independence and a better quality of life.

Other nations are being encouraged to contribute to Iraq’s reconstruction efforts. Thirty-seven countries, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have pledged $13.5 billion in aid. The United States has given more than $20 billion.

“A new Iraq will also need a humane, well-supervised prison system,” Bush said. “America will fund the construction of a modern maximum security prison. When that prison is complete … with the approval of the Iraqi government, we will demolish the Abu Ghraib prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq’s new beginning.”

The fourth step is to enlist international support for the new Iraq.

With Bush’s support falling steadily in the polls, the fourth step seemed a hard sell for some supporters and critics alike.

“In their minds, [other nations] are making the best of a bad situation,” Conger said. It’s the thought that, “at least America isn’t in charge.”

The fifth step is free national elections, to be held no later than January 2005.

The elections will put a transitional national assembly in place to establish a constitution which will be presented to the Iraqi people in the fall of 2005. Iraq will elect a permanent government by the end of next year.

Conger said the speech didn’t tell listeners anything they didn’t already know.