Posted on 08/30/2002 6:52:36 PM PDT by Asmodeus
Support has fallen for sending U.S. ground troops to Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein, according to a new TIME/CNN Poll. Only 51 percent of Americans are now in favor, from 70 percent in December, (Opposed are 40% now, v. 22% in December.)
Most Americans (65%) agree with the Bush administration's argument that the U.S. would be morally justified in invading Iraq to remove Saddam from power (26% say it would be unjustified). But nearly half (49%) say that action would lead to a long and costly war before the U.S. could claim victory. One in seven (15%) believe the U.S. would eventually have to withdraw from Iraq without a victory.
Large majorities say that military action in Iraq would lead to higher oil prices (88%), greater instability in the Middle East (74%), and an increased chance of terrorism in the U.S. (77%).
The President needs to get Congressional authorization before taking action, most Americans (68%) believe (28% approve of using force without authorization). Half (53%) don't think Bush is moving too quickly to war with Iraq (40% believe he is).
Support for war with Iraq is lowest among senior citizens, college graduates and low-income Americans. Liberals oppose military action in Iraq (although they supported it in December. Moderates are split, leaving only conservatives unquestionably in favor of sending troops to Iraq. Other results:
* Bush Approval Rating Down: George Bush's approval rating of 65% is the lowest it has been since before last Sept. 11 (the "high" was 89% Oct. 12; it was 55% July 17-18, 2001 before jumping to 78% Sept. 13).
* Economy: For the first time since 1995 a majority (52%) say the economy is in "poor" or "very poor" shape. A thin majority (52%) say Bush is doing a good job on the economy.
* Colin Powell's "Favorable" Ratings Are the Highest: Powell is the most popular Administration figure (rated favorably by 78%), v. Bush (69%), Rumsfeld (51%) and Cheney (49%).
* Rudy Giuliani Very Popular: New York's former Mayor (76%) is almost as popular as Powell.
The TIME/CNN Poll was conducted Aug. 28-29 among 1,004 adults.
Developing...
Every day we wait gives Sad-dam more time to prepare; which could mean more lives lost.
How to win with no or low casualties: Destroy his means to resist and lay a good old fashion seige on all of the major cities. No power, water, or food. Broadcast to the people the acceptable exit points where they will be screened, fed and housed until the dictator is removed from power.
By the way, the real reason the arab population is indoctrinated with hate for Isreal and the USA has very little to do with religion and everything to do with freedom and democracy on the door step of dictatorships. Gee, life is good in a country with freedom and life sucks in the arab countries with dictators. Obviously, it is all the fault of those with freedom, or so the dictators want them to think.
I completely agree.
One way or another, the Islamists are going to get kicked hard in the nuts.
There is just no other rational choice.
By way of illustration, in a new Newsweek poll, 62% of respondents said they support military action to remove Saddam Hussein.
This poll is pure BS from beginning to end. The above poll results for example. Before these people (the 88%) were asked if military action in Iraq would lead to higher prices did anybody bother to tell them that in Desert Storm our attack on Iraq lead to the GREATLY lower oil prices?
Greater instability in the Middle East? Will someone tell me what is wrong with greater instability in the Middle East? Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, the Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt had all better be aware that government as they know it is about to come to an end.
But nearly half (49%) say that action would lead to a long and costly war before the U.S. could claim victory. One in seven (15%) believe the U.S. would eventually have to withdraw from Iraq without a victory.
This is more BS. What would make anyone think that a far weaker Iraqi military than the one we faced in Desert Storm would be able to sustain a long and costly war against an American Military that is technologically far more lethal then it was in Desert Storm.
I heard Sam Donaldson on ABC radio this morning with the same bodybag BS he was spouting in 1991. Sam went on and on about Americans being unwillingly to accept the high casualty rate that fighting urban warfare in Baghdad would inflict upon the US. Excuse me Sam but who died and left you a Five Star General.
There isn't going to be urban warfare in Baghdad or any other city in Iraq. Maybe Sam should take out the WW II films of the Germans building grandstands outside of Warsaw and then watching the Luffwaffe obliterate the city from the air. Baghdad would be erased from the map in less than a week.
Come to think of it I like the idea of grandstands outside of Baghdad. Build them and fill them with military representatives from the rest of the Middle East. Talk about "Reality Shows".
This result leads me to conclude your sample group contains at least 28% with IQ's well under 100.
I think I would like to have a show in which I can spout off MY opinion. I am just as well-informed. Bah!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.