President's Obama's pledge to pursue a diplomatic response to Syria, even as he urged Americans to support the option of military force, is yielding similarly muddled responses on the streets of Washington.

SOUNDBITE: Gwen Williamson, Washington, D.C. Resident saying:

"I think a strike is necessary. However, when you do not have the American public behind you it makes it very difficult to support this idea."

Few seemed to doubt the President's claims about the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons. What role the U.S. should play is less clear.

SOUNDBITE:Washington D.C. area resident Michelle Whilen saying:

"I think one of the concerns of the American people is what are the after effects of going into Syria even if there are no boots on the ground. I've been to the Holocaust museum, you can't just let that stand and do nothing, but America is in a spot right now where we want our country to improve --- jobs --- everybody wants no war, but at what cost