January 12, 2006

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - A majority of adults in the U.S. regret their government's decision to launch the coalition effort, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 55 per cent of respondents think that, considering the costs versus the benefits to the United States, the war with Iraq was not worth fighting.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - A majority of adults in the U.S. regret their government's decision to launch the coalition effort, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 55 per cent of respondents think that, considering the costs versus the benefits to the United States, the war with Iraq was not worth fighting.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,210 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 16,300 troops have been injured.

Yesterday in Kentucky, U.S. president George W. Bush explained his views on the war, declaring, "The goal is victory, nothing short of victory. When you put these kids in harm's way, we owe them the best equipment, the best training, and a strategy for victory. And victory is a country (...) where the Saddamists and the terrorists can't unwind the democracy. Victory is when Iraq is no longer a safe haven for the terrorists. Victory will be achieved when the Iraqis are able to defend their democracy."

Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly on Dec. 15. The official results of the ballot have not been announced.

Polling Data

All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not?

	Jan. 2006	Dec. 2005	Nov. 2005
Worth fighting	43%	46%	39%
Not worth fighting	55%	52%	60%
No opinion	2%	1%	1%

Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,001 American adults, conducted from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.