ISU students largely ignored the speech given by President Bush Monday night. Those who watched said it was just another speech.

On Tuesday, the Iowa State Daily asked more than 20 people if they had watched the speech and fewer than five said they had.

Many don’t watch speeches like Bush’s address anymore, said Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science.

“Presidents don’t have the ability to control the airwaves anymore,” Schmidt said.

The address wasn’t aired live on ABC, NBC and CBS.

Heather Mitchell, senior in political science, said she was interested in what Bush would say during the address but did not have a pressing need to watch the live airing of the address.

Mitchell said she questions Bush’s desire to push for public outreach.

“It’s very interesting that despite such widespread public hesitancy to go ahead with military action against Iraq, he continues to say that is what we’re going to do,” she said. “[Bush wants to] sway public opinion, when I think it’s pretty clear that people are set in their opinions on the matter.”

Schmidt said it affects presidential leadership when they can’t get a point across.

“It won’t change alignment for those who are aren’t convinced,” Schmidt said. The speech was good for those who believe the United States should take immediate action, he said.

One student who did watch the address said he agrees with Bush’s views on the situation.

“Bush’s stance is for protecting our people,” said Andrew Stephens, senior in computer science.

Bush said in the televised speech he believes Iraq stands alone among the nation’s enemies because all threats are in one place, led by an “evil tyrant.”

Saddam Hussein could be planning an attack on the United States with weapons of mass destruction, he said.

Bush said Iraq could have a nuclear bomb and might use it as a blackmail device against us or our allies. Iraq could then pass on its knowledge to terrorist groups.

“All it takes is one small container and one terrorist,” he said.

A war with Iraq wouldn’t detract from the war on terrorism, Bush said.

“Iraq and al-Qaida share a common enemy, the United States,” he said.

“The U.S. military is capable of dealing with both.”

Bush said on Sept. 11, 2001, the American people felt vulnerable.

While some argue waiting is still an option, Bush said it may be the riskiest option.

“The smoking gun could be in the form of a mushroom cloud,” he said.

Bush said Saddam and Iraq have systematically deceived U.N. inspectors by destroying documents and using mobile weapons facilities.

The U.N. Security Council needs to enact tough, immediate requirements for Iraq to destroy all its weapons of mass destruction, Bush said.

He said Iraq must end the terror in the Middle East, release Gulf War prisoners and stop the rape, torture and murder committed against its own citizens.

As Americans, we want peace, but “we refuse to live in fear,” he said.

Bush said America is committed to helping Iraqi people get back on their feet.

The address did not change anything for Mitchell.

“I think he’s acting unilaterally and hasn’t thus far convinced me of the fact that it’s really imperative that we invade Iraq or initiate action against them,” she said.

“I’m not in agreement with any of his proposals.”