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U.S. Majority Supports Sheehan, Wants Bush Meeting
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States back the antiwar demonstration taking place outside George W. Bush's Texas ranch, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 53 per cent of respondents support what Cindy Sheehan is doing, while 42 per cent disagree.
Sheehan is the mother of U.S. soldier Casey Sheehan, who died in April 2004 during the coalition effort in Iraq. Sheehan—along with other relatives of fallen soldiers—met with Bush in June 2004 at Fort Lewis in Washington. Earlier this month, Sheehan camped outside the American president's Crawford ranch seeking a new meeting with Bush and an explanation for her son's death. 52 per cent of respondents believe the American president should meet with Sheehan again, while 46 per cent disagree.
On Aug. 11, Bush publicly addressed the issue, saying, "I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan. She feels strongly about her position, and she has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America. She has a right to her position, and I thought long and hard about her position. I've heard her position from others, which is: Get out of Iraq now. And it would be a mistake for the security of this country and the ability to lay the foundations for peace in the long run if we were to do so."
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,876 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 14,100 troops have been injured.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose what Cindy Sheehan is doing?
Support | 53% |
Oppose | 42% |
No opinion | 5% |
Do you think George W. Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan again?
Yes | 52% |
No | 46% |
No opinion | 3% |
Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,006 American adults, conducted from Aug. 25 to Aug. 28, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.