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More Americans Doubtful of Iraq Victory

March 07, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More adults in the United States are concerned about the coalition effort, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 46 per cent of respondents do not think the U.S. can win the war in Iraq, up 10 points since December.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,184 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 23,700 troops have been wounded in action. 59 per cent of respondents think the U.S. made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, up three points since February.

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.

Yesterday, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "At this early hour, there are some encouraging signs. (...) Iraq's leaders have lifted restrictions on Iraqi and coalition forces that prevented them from going into certain areas. Already, about half of the joint security stations have been established in neighbourhoods across Baghdad. Iraqi and U.S. forces have rounded up more than 700 people affiliated with Shia extremists. They have recovered large weapons caches, including mortar weapons systems and rocket-propelled grenades."

Polling Data

Which comes closer to your view about the war in Iraq?

Mar. 2007

Dec. 2006

The U.S. can definitely win

11%

14%

The U.S. can probably win

17%

21%

The U.S. can, but I don't think will win

20%

25%

I do not think the U.S. can win

46%

36%

No opinion

6%

3%

In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Iraq, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, or not?

Mar. 2007

Feb. 2007

Jan. 2007

Yes, a mistake

59%

56%

58%

No, not a mistake

39%

42%

41%

No opinion

2%

2%

2%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 American adults, conducted from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.