Bush's performance unlikely to stem anxiety among Rethugs...

Looking Past Means, Focusing on Ends in Iraq

WASHINGTON — For all the attention President Bush (news - web sites) devoted to the war in Iraq (news - web sites) at his news conference Tuesday night, his message boiled down to three words: Stay the course.


Faced with rising turmoil across Iraq, Bush repeatedly stressed his resolve to drive that troubled nation toward stability and democracy — but offered no new plans on how to achieve those aims.


Long on goals and short on means, his performance left even some supporters wondering whether he had found a formula to reassure the growing number of Americans expressing doubt in polls about his course.


"I was depressed," said conservative strategist William Kristol, one of the war's most vocal proponents. "I am obviously a supporter of the war, so I don't need to be convinced. But among people who were doubtful or worried, I don't think he made arguments that would convince them. He didn't explain how we are going to win there."

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