September 25, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many American adults believe their federal government should reduce the coalition effort's expenses, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 65 per cent of respondents believe the United States is spending too much on Iraq.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many American adults believe their federal government should reduce the coalition effort's expenses, according to a poll by Ipsos-Public Affairs released by the Associated Press. 65 per cent of respondents believe the United States is spending too much on Iraq.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,909 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 14,300 troops have been injured.

Hurricane Katrina hit the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Aug. 29. Officials believe thousands of residents may have died as a result of the storm and its aftermath.

On Sept. 2, U.S. president George W. Bush dismissed criticism about devoting too many resources to the coalition effort in Iraq in detriment of the victims of the natural disaster, saying, "We've got a job to defend this country and the war on terror, and we've got a job to bring aid and comfort to the people of the Gulf Coast, and we'll do both. We've got plenty of resources to do both."

The war cost is expected to top $200 billion U.S. at the end of the year. In January 2003, Mitch Daniels—then the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget—forecast a total cost of "between $50 and $60 billion U.S."

On Sept. 23, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a 70-page report on the costs of the global war on terrorism. The report cites "numerous problems" and concludes that neither the U.S. defence department nor Congress "can reliably know how much the war is costing and details on how appropriated funds are being spent or have historical data useful in considering future funding needs." 64 per cent of respondents express little or no confidence when asked whether the money appropriated to rebuild Iraq is being spent wisely.

Polling Data

As you may know, the U.S. Congress has appropriated $260 billion U.S. to fight the war and help rebuild Iraq. What best describes how you feel about federal spending on the rebuilding of Iraq?

We are spending too much	65%
We are spending the right amount	27%
We should spend more	6%
Not sure	2%

How confident are you that the money appropriated to rebuild Iraq is being spent wisely?

Very confident	7%
Somewhat confident	28%
Not too confident	31%
Not at all confident	33%
Not sure	1%

Source: Ipsos-Public Affairs / Associated Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 American adults, conducted from Sept. 16 to Sept. 18, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.