Removing Saddam Considered an Important Foreign Policy Goal Majority favors sending U.S. troops to overthrow Iraqi president
by Jeffrey M. Jones
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- Some experts believe Iraq will be the next target of the United States in the war on terrorism. Earlier this year, President Bush authorized the CIA to take any action necessary to topple Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. Results of the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll find about half of Americans saying the removal of Hussein from power should be a very important U.S. foreign policy goal. Additionally, a majority of Americans favor the use of U.S. troops in achieving this goal.
The new poll, conducted June 17-19, shows 47% of Americans saying that removing Hussein from power should be a very important U.S. foreign policy goal, with an additional 36% saying this is a somewhat important goal. Fewer than one in six Americans say replacing Hussein should not be an important goal of the United States.
In April, when the question was last asked, the results were very similar. However, both the April data and the current data show a decline in rated importance when compared to March, when 60% said removing Hussein from power should be a very important U.S. foreign policy goal. In March, however, respondents were asked a longer sequence of questions about Iraq and military action before the "importance" question was asked, the effect of which may have been to heighten the perceived importance of such actions among respondents who were taking the interview.
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<http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr020621.asp>