Polls & Research

Americans Blame Cheney for Iraq Intelligence Problems

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe their vice-president directly manipulated information before the war in Iraq began, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates published in Newsweek. 52 per cent of respondents believe Dick Cheney deliberately misused pre-war intelligence about Iraq's nuclear capabilities in order to build support for war.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,069 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 15,500 troops have been injured. 65 per cent of respondents disapprove of the way U.S. president George W. Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, up three points since late September.

Pre-war speeches by Bush mentioned specific chemical agents, such as mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas as banned substances allegedly secured by Iraq. State secretary Colin Powell assured the United Nations (UN) Security Council in February 2003 that Hussein possessed biological weapons.

The final report of the Iraq Survey Group—presented to the U.S. Congress on Sept. 30, 2004—concluded that Hussein's regime did not possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and had not implemented a significant program for their development.

Last month, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald announced that Cheney's chief of staff Lewis Libby had been indicted on five counts. The indictment is related to conversations regarding the identity of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative Valerie Plame, between Libby and two reporters.

On Nov. 14, Bush dismissed recent criticism of his decision to launch military action in Iraq, saying, "Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war, but it is irresponsible for Democrats to now claim that we misled them and the American people. Leaders in my administration and members of the United States Congress from both political parties looked at the same intelligence on Iraq, and reached the same conclusion: Saddam Hussein was a threat."

Polling Data

Do you think Dick Cheney deliberately misused or manipulated pre-war intelligence about Iraq's nuclear capabilities in order to build support for war with Iraq, or did not deliberately misuse pre-war intelligence?

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation in Iraq?