Bush called the increase in American force a change in course in the Iraq war, and said failure in Iraq would a be "a disaster for the United States." His speech appeared to stir hope in some that the war might turn for the better.

A handful of veterans gathered at an American Legion post in Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, to watch the speech. There, 59-year-old Dave Washko, who called himself "just an old soldier," said he supported Bush.

"I'm just praying it works," he said.

Another veteran there, George Payntar, who served in the Vietnam war, added: "If we pull out, they'll be here. I am afraid if we pull out now, we would lose the progress we made and the Iraqi people would suffer greatly."

At the Atlanta airport, a few dozen Army recruits were gathered, waiting to travel to Fort Benning to start boot camp on Thursday. They seemed weary of political talk and eager for action.

"There's been a lot of talk about strategies," said Jesse Weber, 21, of Richland Center, Wis. He said he hoped Americans who do not support the war would still "support the soldiers," and said he thought Bush "has been kind of slow making his decisions."

The steady slide in public support for the war has been remarkable: Even in Utah, a Bush electoral stronghold, a recent Salt Lake Tribune poll found less than half of respondents supported the Bush war plan.

"I was pleased that he didn't try to be overly optimistic," said Bart Barker, 52, who watched the Bush address from his home in Draper. "The way he talked about deploying added troops does give me a little hope."

Barbara Early, who noted she had read the Iraq Study Group report - which called the situation in Iraq deteriorating and suggested America begin a troop pullback by next year - was less optimistic.

"It just seems unsupported by all the expert opinion, against the prevailing wisdom of everyone, except people in his administration," Early said at the San Francisco sports bar where she watched the speech.

At the upscale restaurant and bar Novecento, in Miami's financial district, patrons seemed more interested in the television screens showing Cirque Du Soleil than the president's speech.

But many who did watch it said they were cautiously hopeful.

"I have no idea if this is going to work," said Richard Earl, a 33-year-old money manager. "But he's got a plan. Let's hope it does."

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