Bare Majority Supports War Effort Year After "Mission Accomplished" Speech

Gallup News Service ^ | April 30, 2004 | Jeffrey M. Jones

[RWR8189]

But most say situation in Iraq not going well for U.S.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Few can forget the imagery of President George W. Bush flying by military jet onto an aircraft carrier off the West Coast and announcing to the assembled troops and television viewing public that the major combat operations in Iraq were finished. That occurred a year ago on May 1. U.S. troops remain in Iraq and have faced fierce resistance from Iraqi insurgents since that time. Also, at Bush's request, Congress has authorized billions of additional dollars to help fund the efforts in Iraq, and the administration is likely to increase the number of troops stationed there.

A review of Gallup Poll data on Iraq shows that Americans continue to support the war effort, but by a slim margin. The public generally believes that things are not going well for the United States in Iraq and expresses doubt that the Bush administration has a clear plan for handling the situation there. Recent Gallup data suggest a growing public acceptance for an extended and perhaps increased military presence in Iraq. Still, half say it is at least somewhat likely the situation could turn into one similar to what the United States faced in the Vietnam War.

Basic Support

According to the most recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted April 16-18, 52% of Americans say the war was worth it. This percentage has dipped below 50% just once (a 49% reading in the Jan. 29-Feb 1. poll), but has been in the 50% range for most of this year. Around the time that Bush announced "mission accomplished," roughly 7 in 10 Americans said the efforts were worth it.

Worth Going to War in Iraq?

The mid-April 2004 poll found 42% of Americans saying it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq, which is the highest Gallup has measured for this war.

Gallup has asked the "mistake" question about most U.S. military actions. Only during the Vietnam War did Gallup find a majority consistently saying the actions were a mistake, starting in August 1968 and continuing through the end of the war. Once during the Korean War, in February and March 1952, a majority said it was a mistake to send U.S. troops into that conflict......

In general, how would you say things are going for the U.S. in Iraq -- very well, moderately well, moderately badly, or very badly?

[RWR8189]

I don't believe President Bush ever said "mission accomplished"

[RWR8189]

Gallup Ping

FReepmail me if you want to be on or off the list.

[antaresequity]

Ya he did...about 8 feet tall and 50 feet wide in a banner on the carrier.

You know what disturbs me about this...how in the hell can a polling outfit also be a News Service?

Tranparent BS left wing crap alert

[MJY1288]

"Mission Accomplished" was for those aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln. They were heading home after a job well done and their Commander-in-Chief took time out of his schedule to congratulate them. Sure he made it a photo-op, and a damn good one IMHO, in fact I paid good money to make a bunch of copies of a VHS tape of the event and shared the copies with fellow Freepers.

IMHO, only a fool would think President Bush was claiming the entire Mission was Accomplished. The Mainstream media might think the American people are that stupid, but I don't. Anyone with a brain would know what the POTUS was doing that day, he was congratulating the crew of the U.S.S. Lincoln PERIOD

Here is a link to exactly what the President said that day aboard the Lincoln

President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended

[FairOpinion]

There was a "Mission Accomplished" banner on the USS Lincoln.

That phase of the war was indeed "Mission Accomplished" -- very successfully too. We took over Iraq, got rid of Saddam in a few weeks with minimum casualties.

The phase we are in is a different phase. Considering everything, even this is going much better, than could be expected, considering that Saddam's henchmen and the terrorists congragate there to try to scare us away -- unsuccessfully.

[GOPyouth]

Exactly. THey fail to put into context the speech and where it was made, and who to. The Lincoln had been at sea for almost a full year. Their mission was accomplished, and the major part of the war, which included massive bombing raids, was over. For some reason the press likes to think that the President of the United States was saying the entire conflict was over.

I will never forget that ship coming into North Island in San Diego. The bars at the beaches in OB, PB, and Coronado bought those guys a sh!t load of drinks that night.

[texasflower]

They said the carrier crew put that sign up. Their mission was accomplished.

[FairOpinion]

Thanks for posting the link to the Presiden't speech.

Here are some excerpts of what Bush actually said at that time:

"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.

We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We're bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We're pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes.

Our mission continues. Al Qaeda is wounded, not destroyed. The scattered cells of the terrorist network still operate in many nations, and we know from daily intelligence that they continue to plot against free people.

The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on September the 11, 2001 -- and still goes on.

The war on terror is not over; yet it is not endless. We do not know the day of final victory, but we have seen the turning of the tide. No act of the terrorists will change our purpose, or weaken our resolve, or alter their fate. Their cause is lost. Free nations will press on to victory."

The liberal media keeps misrepresenting Bush's statements.

[GOPyouth]

Also, that morning, when me and my buddies went down to the harbor to watch the ship come into port, we saw one amazing photo-op. As the Lincoln was coming around the corner of the island, Air Force One took off. My buddy got a great shot of that with both AF1 and the Lincoln in the photograph.

[OneTimeLurker]

"Considering everything, even this is going much better, than could be expected"

Guess you aren't a Pentagon planner

[FairOpinion]

The title should have been:

"Despite of a coordinated effort on the part of the Democrats and the liberal media to present the Iraq situation in the worst light, and blame President Bush for everything, including The Great Flood, the majority of the American people are still supporting Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq."

[Gunslingr3]

I don't believe President Bush ever said "mission accomplished"

[RWR8189]

I know there was a banner, but I don't think that qualifies it as being the "Mission Accomplished" speech.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The way I understand it, the "Mission Accomplished" sign was put up to signify that the aircraft carrier's mission was accomplished, not the entire war itself, nor was it signifying the end of combat. That's what I believed then, and that's what I firmly believe now.

Bush went out there, gave a pep talk to the troops on the carrier, and spoke to the nation on the accomplishments we afforded in the War On Terror at the time.

It is the job of the President to boost the morale of the populace, and the troops, during a time of war. Nothing more boosts the morale of everyone, when you see your son or daughter, friend or relative rubbing shoulders, shaking hands, or getting hugs and seeing them get their picture taken with the most powerful man in the world.

Bush never said the War On Terror was over, but that a victory (defeat of the Taliban) had been won, and that there was still work to be done.

[JennysCool]

Geez...Didn't you read the thread "Mission Accomplished" was for the CARRIER!

[FairOpinion]

Look at some of the predictions prior to the war.

Here is one from Jan 2003:

UN report predicts Iraq catastrophe
January 9 2003

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/08/1041989998907.html

As many as 500,000 people in Iraq could require medical treatment for serious injuries if the United States and its allies launch a war there, a confidential United Nations report says.

The report estimates that about 3million people across the country will face "dire" malnutrition and require "therapeutic feeding". It paints a picture of a crippled nation, with roads, bridges and railroads shattered, the electricity grid badly damaged and oil industry paralysed.

As many as 900,000 refugees could require food and shelter from the UN and other relief groups, the report warns. It also foresees the need to set up transit camps near the Iraqi border for as many as 500,000 people.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Also, that morning, when me and my buddies went down to the harbor to watch the ship come into port, we saw one amazing photo-op. As the Lincoln was coming around the corner of the island, Air Force One took off. My buddy got a great shot of that with both AF1 and the Lincoln in the photograph.

WOW! That would've been neat!

[GOPyouth]

He had a website with this photo on it, but it's down now. I would have linked it if it were up. :)

[BigSkyFreeper]

There was an aerial photo on the White House website, which I think you can still find in the archives of May 1, 2003, of the USS Lincoln with the sunset just gleaming off the side of the carrier. The photo was taken shortly after Bush spoke to the nation. I had posted that photo and FReepers wondered where I got that and I told them the White House website. LOL :)

[MJY1288]

The mainstream media has been misrepresenting a lot of things about this administration. But I'll clue you in on something. The Bush Administration appreciates what they are doing. They (on the left) think because the Bush Administration hasn't raised much fuss over their actions in the past, they can take it a step or two further. Come this August, the Bush team is going to expose the left wing media for what they are in a series of Advertisements that details their deceptive tactics. I have a friend who is working on this right now :-)

The Bush Administration has been playing Chess, while the RATS have been playing Checkers, since day one, they haven't learned yet, but they will soon enough :-)