President Bush has set a 48 hour ultimatum for Saddam Hussein. The terms are simple. Saddam and his sons must leave Iraq or face war. Since the Iraqi leader doesn’t seem to be in the mood for exile, it is clear that within days the Administration’s doctrine of pre-emption, the new plan to act against enemies with or without international support or tangible provocation, is about to get its first real test drive in the deserts of the Gulf.
Here at home, the President shifts the nation into a higher level of alert, but pledges that he is acting in the interest of long-term security. Americans begin to rally behind him, even as critics say there is too much risk, too much of diplomatic, political and economic gamble in turning Iraq upside down.
Guests:
Susan Page, White House Bureau Chief for USA TODAY
John Donnelly, chief diplomatic correspondent for the Boston Globe.