(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-in-five adults in the United States believe the coalition effort should be over in 2009, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 39 per cent of respondents think the United States should bring all troops home from Iraq within a year, up two points since February.

In addition, 26 per cent of respondents would withdraw all soldiers immediately, and 31 per cent want them to remain in Iraq until the mission is complete.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 4,029 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and 29,600 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.

In September 2007, commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq David Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker provided a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq to the U.S. Congress. In addition, U.S. president George W. Bush said U.S. forces in Iraq would be reduced by 5,700 troops in December, and announced the possibility of a further decrease in July 2008.

Earlier today, Bush discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "While this war is difficult, it is not endless. And we expect that, as conditions on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the policy of return on success. The day will come when Iraq is a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq is a stable democracy that helps fight our common enemies and promote our common interests in the Middle East. And when that day arrives, (the troops will) come home with pride (...), and the gratitude of (the) whole nation."

Polling Data

When it comes to the War in Iraq, the U.S. should...

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Apr. 1 and Apr. 2, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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