ISU students responded to President Bush’s press conference with mixed views.

During his speech Tuesday evening, Bush outlined three main points: He would supply the army with anything they needed (including more troops), Iraq would receive sovereignty on June 30 and if U.S. troops retreat from Iraq, it will send the terrorists the message that they won.

Some students accepted his answers, while others, like Catherine Hunt, a member of the ISU Democrats, said he never offered clear explanations for his actions.

“I found it interesting that when reporters asked him if he felt responsible, he didn’t directly answer and filibustering and avoiding the question,” said Hunt, graduate student in textiles and clothing. “It shows he didn’t want to give them a clear answer.”

Hunt said Bush’s commitment to sending more soldiers to Iraq wasn’t a sign of his commitment to the troops, but rather making up for past mistakes.

“I’m skeptical if he wants to sincerely support the troops or if he’s doing this because they were ill-equipped when they were sent to Iraq a year ago,” she said.

Other students didn’t see Bush as trying to cover up past mistakes, but making a difficult decision in a time of transition.

Dan Frohardt, member of the ISU College Republicans and freshman in construction engineering, agreed with Bush.

He said pulling out of Iraq is impossible right now because it would strengthen terrorists across the globe.

“We’ll stay there as long as it takes, and I don’t see a point where pulling out would be an option,” he said. “It would simply allow another terrorist group to take power,” he said.

He also agreed with Bush’s statement that when authority is transferred to the Iraqis on June 30, many burdens will be taken away from American soldiers.

“Giving the Iraqis sovereignty will prove we aren’t there to conquer them,” he said. “It will show them freedom is coming and Iraqis will view that as a positive sign.”

Frohardt criticized the reporters at the press conference, saying they tried to make Bush look personally responsible for Sept.11.

“The whole thing didn’t rest on his shoulders. The person they should blame is Osama bin Laden, not the president,” he said.

While there were differing opinions on his speech’s content, no one credited Bush with being a good orator.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, said Bush’s speech was hampered by his lack of communication skills.

“He’s very awkward and not a good speaker,” he said. “Several times he almost choked up, particularity when they asked him what his biggest mistake in dealing with Sept. 11 was.”

The long-term effects of America’s presence in Iraq are nearly impossible to guess. However, Schmidt said it’s reliable to at least believe America’s efforts in Iraq will lead to a better government than Saddam Hussein’s, although it won’t be an American-style democracy.