Bush Defends War Effort

Bush will make the first in a series of speeches designed to stem the rising tide of uneasiness over his war effort in Iraq. The White House has been badgered by falling poll numbers, a wide ranging prison scandal, and dissention within the Republican ranks.

The administration hopes that the speech will show the American people that the president has a strategy for the handover of Iraqi power, and that that strategy is being implemented effectively. Whether that is the case has been subject for intense public debate among politicians, pundits, and the retired officer corps.

Click the "Listen" link to hear Bush's speech and follow-up analysis.

Guests:

Lawrence Korb, former Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Reagan administration (1981-1985) and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

EJ Dionne, syndicated columnist for the Washington Post and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.