Polls & Research
Archive Search
Iraq War is Clearly Key Issue for Americans
.jpg)
- The coalition effort remains the dominant topic in the United States, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 69 per cent of respondents think the situation in Iraq should be the top priority for the president and Congress to deal with at this time.
The economy is a distant second with 16 per cent, followed by health care with 14 per cent, immigration with 10 per cent, and the energy crisis with six per cent.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,906 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 21,900 troops have been wounded in action.
Yesterday during his confirmation hearings, defence secretary nominee Robert Gates discussed the current state of affairs in Iraq, saying, "Our course over the next year or two will determine whether the American and Iraqi people and the next president of the United States will face a slowly but steadily improving situation in Iraq and in the region or will face the very real risk and possible reality of a regional conflagration."
Gates said that, in his view, the U.S. is not winning the war in Iraq.
Polling Data
In your view, what one or two issues should be the top priorities for the president and Congress to deal with at this time?
Situation in Iraq / War | 69% |
Economy in general | 16% |
Poor healthcare / Hospitals / | 14% |
Immigration / Illegal aliens | 10% |
Fuel / Oil prices / Lack of | 6% |
Terrorism | 4% |
Social Security | 4% |
National security | 4% |
Federal budget deficit / | 4% |
Education / Poor education / Access to education | 4% |
Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 American adults, conducted from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.