Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Two-Thirds of Americans Pessimistic About Iraq
- Few adults in the United States are satisfied with the progress of the coalition effort, according to a poll by Hart/McInturff released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News. 68 per cent of respondents feel more pessimistic about the way things are going in Iraq, while 20 per cent feel more optimistic.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,788 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 21,000 troops have been wounded in action.
In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.
In his Oct. 21 radio address, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the situation in Iraq, saying, "Another reason for the recent increase in attacks is that the terrorists are trying to influence public opinion here in the United States. They have a sophisticated propaganda strategy. They know they cannot defeat us in the battle, so they conduct high-profile attacks, hoping that the images of violence will demoralize our country and force us to retreat." 57 per cent of respondents think Bush has not given good reasons for why the U.S. must keep troops in Iraq.
Polling Data
Based on what you have seen happening in Iraq over the course of the past month, do you feel more optimistic or more pessimistic about the way things are going in Iraq?
More optimistic | 20% |
More pessimistic | 68% |
No difference | 9% |
Not sure | 3% |
Do you think that U.S. president George W. Bush has or has not given good reasons for why the United States must keep troops in Iraq?
Oct. 2006 | Jan. 2006 | |
Has given good reasons | 39% | 43% |
Has not given good reasons | 57% | 52% |
Not sure | 4% | 5% |
Source: Hart/McInturff / The Wall Street Journal / NBC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,006 registered American voters, conducted from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.