Iraq Prison Scandal Hits Home, but most Reject Troop Pullout
76% have seen Prison Pictures; Bush Approval Slips
Public satisfaction with national conditions has fallen to 33%, its lowest level in eight years, in the wake of revelations of prisoner abuse committed by U.S. soldiers at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. President Bush's overall job approval rating also has dropped into negative territory: 44% approve of his job performance, while 48% disapprove.
The Iraq prison scandal has registered powerfully with the public - fully 76% say they have seen pictures depicting mistreatment of Iraqis by U.S. soldiers. There also has been a sharp rise in the number of Americans who think the military effort in Iraq is going badly. For the first time, a majority of Americans (51%) say the war is not going well and the percentage saying the war was the right decision continues to inch downward.
For all that, however, public sentiment continues to run against an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. By 53%-42%, Americans favor keeping the troops there until a stable government is established.
President Bush has lost some ground in the presidential race, though voter opinion remains closely divided. Sen. John Kerry holds a 50%-45% lead over Bush in a two-way race, and his lead narrows to 46%-43% when Ralph Nader is included. Confidence in Bush relative to Kerry has eroded on major issues like Iraq and the economy.