CNNTIME POLL: SUPPORT DROPPING FOR SENDING U.S. TROOPS TO IRAQ

Drudge Report ^ | 30 August 2002 | Matt Drudge

[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...

[Miss Marple]

Yes. I have long loved that play. "We happy few, we band of brothers..."

In fact, those of us on the daily thread USA vs. Clinton (now "America the Right Way") used it as our rallying cry during the Florida recount.

The one thing I most love about President Bush is that he has a sense of history, and his speechwriters echo both history and literature. Not in the daily, bread and butter speeches, of course, but in the really important speeches.

I think that when we are told about Iraq, we are going to hear a St. Crispin's speech.

[harpo11]

I'm sure that when President Bush says that " The time has come. It is time for Saddam to go bye, bye. Let's Roll!" most assuredly many will forget CNN/TIME's little old poll including CNN/TIME.

[Texasforever]

Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.

[IoCaster]

As per the inestimable JohnHuang2 in this post .

"In the aforementioned ABC News/Washington Post poll, the 69% level of support for military action drops a whopping 12% points, to 57%, merely by inserting the word "troops" in the question. The same poll shows 36% would oppose military action.

"Troops" evokes memories of Vietnam, and skews the survey results.

To illustrate, back in March, 67% supported "using military air strikes but no U.S. ground troops" against Iraq, according to Gallup.

But when asked if they favor using "U.S. ground troops to invade Iraq", public support plummets a full 21% percentage points, from 67% to 46%!! The same poll shows a huge 50% would oppose such action.

Again, this survey was taken back in March, when war "fever" was sizzling -- supposedly more "heated" than currently.

So, in the end, all the media brouhaha about plunging support for war on Saddam is based on flawed or fallacious interpretation of polling data -- wishful thinking, not fact."

I'm inclined to agree with his assessment.

[PhilDragoo]

For we have a peculiar power of thinking before we act, and of acting, too, whereas other men are courageous from ignorance but hesitate upon reflection.

--Pericles' Funeral Oration

"Oh, I know... I'm going to use good judgment. I haven't lost my temper in 40 years, but pilgrim you caused a lotta trouble this morning... mighta got somebody killed... and somebody otta belt you in the mouth... but I won't... I won't... the hell I won't!"

--John Wayne "McClintock"

[Miss Marple]

LOL! I bet you have also watched "The Quiet Man," another Wayne classic, and one of my all-time favorites. Although the quote is from the Squire, and not from the title character, I think it most appropos:

"Put his name on the list. Draw a line through it."

[txrangerette]

I don't want to estimate stupidity
ON THIS ISSUE(life or death) at all--
over or under. I look for real results
over time as Bush & Co. roll stuff out
& I also suspect weirdness in the poll
due in part to plunging ratings on the
economy too, when overall it's better
now than when his ratings were higher.

[Torie]

And here is the most poetic ode to visceral patriotism ever written I think, and reflects my sentiments about our land, our home, and our joy in being a part of an ongoing great experiment in the pursuit the better angels of our nature, and that of all mankind. The moats against evil now are moral ones, not physical ones, but I think Shakespere did not miss that as well. Sappy I know, but it reflects my own personal leap of faith:

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, 
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, 
This other Eden, demi-paradise, 
This fortress built by Nature for herself 
Against infection and the hand of war, 
This happy breed of men, this little world, 
This precious stone set in the silver sea, 
Which serves it in the office of a wall 
Or as a moat defensive to a house, 
Against the envy of less happier lands,-- 
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1

[muir_redwoods]

Gosh!!The highly respected Clinton News Network has reported support dropping for an invasion of Iraq. Well, that about ends that idea. Thanks Ted and say hello to that patriot Jane if you see her.

[clintonh8r]

"I don't like rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it."

...Woodrow Call, Captain, Texas Rangers (Ret).

[Texasforever]

If Bush and his team decide that invading Iraq is in the best interests of the United States, he will do so even if the polls only show 30% support. I am just saying that 911 is becoming a distant memory to many and the sense of urgency and threat have been replaced by the media drums of "healing", "closure" and all of the other touchy feely crap they spew.

[Theophilus]

My Favorite!

Scene III The same. Before the gates.

[The Governor and some Citizens on the walls; the English forces below. Enter KING HENRY and his train]

KING HENRY V

How yet resolves the governor of the town? This is the latest parle we will admit; Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves; Or like to men proud of destruction Defy us to our worst: for, as I am a soldier, A name that in my thoughts becomes me best, If I begin the battery once again, I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried. The gates of mercy shall be all shut up, And the flesh'd soldier, rough and hard of heart, In liberty of bloody hand shall range With conscience wide as hell, mowing like grass Your fresh-fair virgins and your flowering infants. What is it then to me, if impious war, Array'd in flames like to the prince of fiends, Do, with his smirch'd complexion, all fell feats Enlink'd to waste and desolation? What is't to me, when you yourselves are cause, If your pure maidens fall into the hand Of hot and forcing violation? What rein can hold licentious wickedness When down the hill he holds his fierce career? We may as bootless spend our vain command Upon the enraged soldiers in their spoil As send precepts to the leviathan To come ashore. Therefore, you men of Harfleur, Take pity of your town and of your people, Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command; Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace O'erblows the filthy and contagious clouds Of heady murder, spoil and villany. If not, why, in a moment look to see The blind and bloody soldier with foul hand Defile the locks of your shrill-shrieking daughters; Your fathers taken by the silver beards, And their most reverend heads dash'd to the walls, Your naked infants spitted upon pikes, Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confused Do break the clouds, as did the wives of Jewry At Herod's bloody-hunting slaughtermen. What say you? will you yield, and this avoid, Or, guilty in defence, be thus destroy'd?

[crypt2k]

I am just saying that 911 is becoming a distant memory

This is for sure part of the strategy of bin Laden or his successors.

[Miss Marple]

Oh, well done! That is also one of my favorites!

One sad thing about the USA is that we have not yet produced a Shakespeare. I remain hopeful.

JohnHuang2 and I discussed last year how literature and history were being intertwined with the war on terror, although many of the people doing so did not realize what they were doing. It is interesting to go back and read the references to the Crusades, St. George and the Dragon, Roland, and King Arthur. Those who don't have a literary background missed it, but I found it quite striking, especially coming from the mainstream media sources like Howard Fineman.

They have reverted to type, of course, but for a moment in September of last year they were carrying a message that was, I believe, from a higher source. We are, I believe, called to wage this war. (You may feel free to consign me to the loony bin...but it was quite striking at the time.)

[Mensch]

* 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.

The former 52% is a "majority" while the latter 52% is a "thin majority?

[Jeff Chandler]

I would like Bush to go public with the evidence he has-on the day after we bomb the poop out of Iraq.

[Aggie Mama]

I really think that the reason why the numbers have gone down is because, to the general public, "nothing" is being done. We all know that so many of the victories have been done in secret (GW told us so in his address before congress), but it's so very frustrating not to have anything that we can say with a visceral emotion. I want to be able to shoot my middle finger off and say "F- You Bastards!" but nothing has given me occasion to do that.

That emotion, I think, is what so many others feel as well. What worries me, is that when 9/11 comes and goes without any word of OBL pushing up daisies, people are going to get fed up.

[Howlin]

He will.

[Jeff Chandler]

Third possibility: We never intended to invade Iraq.

Sort of the old "See this hand? It's THIS one you have to watch out for!" trick?

[PhilDragoo]

the envy of less happier lands

How much this accounts for Islamism.