Polls & Research

Americans Wary of Petraeus Iraq War Report

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States express little confidence in the commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 53 per cent of respondents do not trust David Petraeus to report what is really going on in Iraq without making the situation sound better than it actually is.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,705 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 27,400 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Jan. 10, U.S. president George W. Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which includes an increase in U.S. troop levels. On Jul. 12, Bush discussed the Iraqi government's progress, declaring, "Of the 18 benchmarks Congress asked us to measure, we can report that satisfactory progress is being made in eight areas."

The U.S. Congress has asked Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq in September. 72 per cent of respondents say a positive report on the war will have no effect on how they view the coalition effort.

On Aug. 17, Senate majority leader Harry Reid expressed concerns about the pending report, saying, "If the president is going to continue to ask American soldiers to fight in this civil war, then those closest to the situation on the ground must give Congress and the American people a frank and honest account of this war free of White House spin."

Polling Data

Half Sample - As you may know, in September the top U.S. commander in Iraq will report to the President and Congress about how the war is going. Do you trust him to report what's really going on in Iraq without making the situation sound better than it actually is, or don't you feel that way?

Half Sample - As you may know, in September the top U.S. commander in Iraq will report to the U.S. president and Congress about how the war is going. If he reports that the U.S. is making progress, would that make you more likely to support the war, or would that have no effect on your view of the war?