This except from our 1/28/03 ABC News poll analysis may help.
AL QAEDA - Bush's assertion in his speech that Saddam Hussein "aids and protects terrorists, including members of Al Qaeda" is one that confirms a perception already held by many Americans. Any number of polls since Sept. 11, 2001, have shown that most do think Iraq supports those terrorists; in this survey, 68 percent say so.
This perception is an important one in fueling support for military action, in that such support is premised to a large extent on the sense of threat Americans feel from Iraq. Among those who think Iraq directly supports Al Qaeda, 73 percent favor taking military action to oust Saddam. Among those who don't think he supports Al Qaeda, support for military action drops to 45 percent.
9. Do you think Iraq has or has not provided direct support to the Al Qaeda terrorist group?
Provided Not provided No
support support opinion 1/28/03 68 17 15
Xtab: Military action vs Iraq
Support Oppose Provided support to Al Qaeda (68%) 73% 24 Not provided support (17%) 45 51