Sympathetic Vibrations (Non-partisan poll is bad news for anti-war dems)

The Washington Post ^ | November 27, 2005 | Chris Cillizza and Peter Slevin

[neverdem]

Democrats fumed last week at Vice President Cheney's suggestion that criticism of the administration's war policies was itself becoming a hindrance to the war effort. But a new poll indicates most Americans are sympathetic to Cheney's point.

Seventy percent of people surveyed said that criticism of the war by Democratic senators hurts troop morale -- with 44 percent saying morale is hurt "a lot," according to a poll taken by RT Strategies. Even self-identified Democrats agree: 55 percent believe criticism hurts morale, while 21 percent say it helps morale.

The results surely will rankle many Democrats, who argue that it is patriotic and supportive of the troops to call attention to what they believe are deep flaws in President Bush's Iraq strategy. But the survey itself cannot be dismissed as a partisan attack. The RTs in RT Strategies are Thomas Riehle, a Democrat, and Lance Tarrance, a veteran GOP pollster.

Their poll also indicates many Americans are skeptical of Democratic complaints about the war. Just three of 10 adults accept that Democrats are leveling criticism because they believe this will help U.S. efforts in Iraq. A majority believes the motive is really to "gain a partisan political advantage."

This poll is one of the few pieces of supportive news the administration has had lately on Iraq. Most surveys have shown significant majorities believe it was a mistake to go to war, as well as rising sentiment that Bush misled Americans in making the case for it.

Even so, there is still support for Bush's policy going forward. A plurality, 49 percent, believe that troops should come home only when the Iraqi government can provide for its own security, while 16 percent support immediate withdrawal, regardless of the circumstances.

Just Say Noe

Poor Tom Noe. At first, Republican candidates were thrilled...

[neverdem]

My theory all along has been that unhappiness about the war is more from the right than the left.

I think that interpretation also applies to the moronic poll question:

"Overall, is the country going in the right direction or the wrong direction?"

[Grampa Dave]

The print media has been complaining about demographics for years and the bottom line supports their fears. FNC, for all its recent attempts to move left of center, is still beating out all the cable news outlets.

The old and out of date/biased MSM is fading each week re readers/subscribers and advertisers.

[bigsigh]

I don't think technically Waters is a traitor. You have to me mentally competent to commit the crime, as I recall.

[kesg]

I agree. There are many people who think that this country is not conservative enough.

[Clintonfatigued]

Very well-put. The American public is ambivalent about the war. The only individual candidates who will be damaged by dissatisfation with the Iraq War are those strongly identified with it, be it for or against.

[FreeKeys]

BUMP!

Excellent presentation. Thanks for posting it.

[Grampa Dave]

Zacs Mom is very creative and cuts to the chase with her graphic arts and the wording/quotes with the art work.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping, Johnnie. I, of course, loathe polls. This one is a pleasant surprise, however.