Americans' Opinions About the Situation in Iraq
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
by Joseph Carroll
Mistake to Send Troops?
A recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted Jan. 14-16, finds a slight majority of Americans, 52%, saying it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq. Forty-seven percent say it was not a mistake. Earlier in the month, Americans were more divided about the war in Iraq, with 50% saying it was a mistake and 48% saying it was not.
These results show a slight increase since mid-November in the percentage saying it was a mistake to send troops. In previous polling conducted from the beginning of October through mid-November, the percentage of Americans who said it was a mistake to send troops ranged from 44% to 48%.
Attitudes on Iraq, as measured by this question, have varied throughout the past year. In late June and early July, for example, a majority of Americans (54% in two consecutive surveys) believed it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq. Earlier in 2004, a majority of Americans -- ranging from 54% to 58% -- said it was not a mistake to send troops.
Elections in Iraq
The elections in Iraq are scheduled to begin this weekend. Gallup's Jan. 14-16 poll finds that 62% of Americans say the election will take place as scheduled, while 33% remain skeptical. These results show an increase since mid-November in perceptions that the elections will take place. In November, only 51% said the elections would be held, while 42% said they would not.
Even though most Americans think the elections will take place as scheduled, only about one in six (15%) say the elections will allow the United States to significantly reduce the number of troops in Iraq in the next few months. Forty-three percent say the United States will be able to reduce troop levels in the next few years, and 38% say the country will not reduce the number of troops for the foreseeable future.
Troop Levels in Iraq
The public remains divided as to whether the country should send more troops, keep the troop level at its current level, or withdraw some troops. Half of Americans say the United States should either send more troops (24%) or maintain the current level of troops (26%). Forty-six percent say the country should withdraw some or all of the troops.
Gallup has asked Americans this question numerous times since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003. Over the past year, Americans showed a slight tendency to support sending more troops or keeping the troop level the same.
President Bush and the Situation in Iraq
The public is essentially divided as to whether George W. Bush has a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq. The Jan. 14-16 poll finds that 49% say he has a clear plan and 50% say he does not.
Gallup's Jan. 7-9 poll found that only 42% of Americans approve of the way Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, while a majority of Americans, 56%, disapprove. The 56% disapproval rating is the highest Bush has received since June of last year.