(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in the United States believe the decision to increase the number of soldiers in Iraq was successful, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 50 per cent of respondents believe the troop surge in Iraq is making the situation there better, up 20 points in a year.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in the United States believe the decision to increase the number of soldiers in Iraq was successful, according to a poll by CBS News and the New York Times. 50 per cent of respondents believe the troop surge in Iraq is making the situation there better, up 20 points in a year.
Still, 54 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq, while 42 per cent believe the country did the right thing in taking military action.
In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.
In January 2007, U.S. president George W. Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which included an increase in U.S. troop levels. In September 2007, commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq David Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker provided a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq to the U.S. Congress.
The U.S. and Iraqi governments are hoping to finalize an agreement this year, which would establish a "security relationship" that would provide a legal basis for the presence of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
Earlier this month, Republican Virginia senator John Warner discussed his views on the surge, saying, "There is much to be done. I commend the concept of the surge, and I commend most heartily the courage of the troops. By any fair and pragmatic judgement, it has been a success."
Polling Data
As you may know, the U.S. has sent a troop surge to Iraq. From what you have heard or read, would you say the troop surge is making the situation in Iraq better, making it worse, or is it having no impact on the situation in Iraq so far?
|
Sept. 2008 |
Sept. 2007 |
|
|
Better |
50% |
30% |
|
Worse |
10% |
14% |
|
No impact |
30% |
51% |
|
Unsure |
10% |
5% |
Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?
|
Sept. 2008 |
Sept. 2007 |
|
|
Right thing |
42% |
39% |
|
Stayed out |
54% |
53% |
|
Unsure |
4% |
8% |
Source: CBS News / New York Times
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,133 American adults, conducted from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
