Support for Attacking Iraq Begins
to Wane
Across the U.S.
By Bill Redeker, ABC News
Oct. 14 --As the administration prepares for war with Iraq, a new
mantra has emerged in the campaign to win the hearts and minds of
Americans and, in effect, put Saddam Hussein on notice.
"America speaks with one voice," says President Bush.
In Washington, Bush, having been empowered by both houses of Congress
to use force, seems to face very little opposition on Iraq.
On the streets of America, nothing could be further from the truth.
Across the nation, in city after city, ABCNEWS found voices of
opposition, and many of them were from military towns.
"I am not convinced President Bush has yet made the case," said Miles
Harvey, a San Diego retiree. San Diego is home port to the Navy's
Pacific Fleet, which directly employs more than 100,000 people.
"We have to be convinced that there is a credible threat from Iraq and
that's what I haven't seen," said Harvey.
Algene Miller, a Vietnam War veteran, said he was worried about
potential casualties.
"You can't have a war without them," he said. "I know, I've been
there."
On the other side of the country, in Charleston, S.C. — home to The
Citadel military college and Charleston Air Force Base — there is also
opposition, especially from those who remember U.S. forces becoming
bogged down in Vietnam while losing support back home.
"If the president could show a clear and present danger I would support
action against Iraq, but I don't support it without any evidence, "
said Robert Rhame, a retired businessman who served in Vietnam.
"To me, our economy is far more important than removing Saddam Hussein
from power," he said.
Skepticism Over President's Motives
In the Central Plains states, there is concern about the prospect of
the United Staets going to war alone.
At a coffee shop in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, homemaker
Christa Rogers said unilateral action would be a mistake. "I think we
have to
go with other people, other countries, I don't think we can take this
on,
on our own," she said.
Her friend Cathy Roper agreed. "It all seems too fast," Roper added.
"We need to do something, but it seems like it's really being shoved
onto
everybody, it seems too fast."
In addition to concern over timing and unilateral pre-emptive action,
people question the president's motives. Many people told ABCNEWS they
thought it was a "diversion from the faltering economy."
Debra Cassens, a businesswoman from San Diego, said it was about
revenge.
"Bush is trying to settle a score that began with his father," she said
referring to the failed Iraqi assassination attempt on the president's
father following the Persian Gulf War.
John Schneider, also from San Diego, said, "I think the president wants
to take action to enhance his own position.
"The war powers resolution was timed to benefit those running for
election this November," Schneider said.
Although organized demonstrations have yet to produce large crowds,
there have been several protests. In Los Angeles, 3,000 people gathered
outside the federal building this month and chanted "no war," while a
group of
American Indians staged a peace dance nearby.
In Portland, Ore., approximately 6,000 people recently crowded the
narrow streets to march and be heard while about 10,000 people gathered
in New York City's Central Park to oppose war plans.
"What concerns me," said Rhame, the retired Vietnam War vet, "is what
we do over there could bring more terror to the United States."
Denver resident Cassens agreed. "We need to build some bridges with the
Muslim world, not make things worse," she said.
Contrary to what the president says, when it comes to war, Americans do
not speak with one voice. A national day of protest has been scheduled
for
Oct. 26.
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/DailyNews/war_opposition021014.html
