Unlike anti-war protests under President Bush, this year's rally lacked a clear target.

Hundreds of activists marched in front of the White House Saturday, but many of them stopped short of blaming President Obama for the continuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The crowd, a lot smaller than in years past, instead targeted military contractors, Republicans, and the media.

"Follow the money, it all leads to corporate greed," sang a group of senior activists called the Raging Grannies at one point.

Activists seemed split on where to direct their ire. They marched towards the offices of military contractor Halliburton, the Washington Post, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, the National Endowment for Democracy and the Veterans Administration.

"We're against the policy not the president," said Brian Becker of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, which organized the rally. He added that "many of Obama’s supporters have become more disenchanted month by month."

Some of the speakers at Saturday's event to mark the seventh anniversary of Iraq took a harsher tone: Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader and activist Cindy Sheehan said President Obama, who said the Iraq war was a mistake during the campaign, was continuing on the path of his predecessor.

"What's the difference except for rhetoric?" Nader said.

But among the crowd, the mood was different. A handful of people wore Obama campaign t-shirts. Shirley Allan carried a sign that read, "President Obama we love you but we must tell you your hands are getting bloody."

"It's only been one year. He still has a chance to do something different," said Moises, an Arlington, Va., resident who declined to give his last name. His shirt said, "Obama '08. Let the force be with him."

Veteran protester Peter Coleman said many people who are against the wars are afraid to speak up against a Democratic president they may have helped elect.

"People don't want to go after Obama," Coleman said. He and his wife drove from Staten Island, N.Y., to attend their eighth consecutive anti-war rally. They said the crowd was noticeably smaller than in years past.

The coupld said they don't see any difference between the war policies of the Democrats and Republicans. But instead of shouting slogans at the White House, the couple sprawled out on the grass and enjoyed the warm weather.

The change in administration may partly be why this year's protest had a festive rather than angry air. People sat about catching up with old friends. Some perused bookstalls set up by various liberal groups ranging from socialist parties to "Free Palestine" student organizations.

A group of high school and college students from the Northeast beat drums to songs such as Journey’s "Don't Stop Believin'."

Tony Stuck was riding his bike past the White House when he stopped to check out the protest.

Stuck, a resident of Alexandria, Va., said he was confused about the message. He too opposes the wars but said that he believed Obama was taking the right steps to end it.

"Everything is more complicated than it seems," he said. "If we could hit the stop button on the war, great, but I think we have to trust that he's doing the right thing."

Ambreen Ali writes for Congress.org.

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