Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
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- 2008: The U.S. Electoral College
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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Iraq Is Key Priority For Bush’s Second Term
(CPOD) Nov. 19, 2004 - Many Americans believe George W. Bush should focus on Iraq, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 39 per cent of respondents believe the situation in the Middle East country should be the president's top priority in his second term.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,217 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 8,900 troops have been injured.
For the past 11 days, American and Iraqi troops have been fighting rebel insurgents in the city of Fallujah. Yesterday, militant group Ansar al-Sunna called on all Iraqi Muslims to boycott the upcoming parliamentary election—tentatively scheduled for January 2005—and threatened to "punish" the candidates.
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. Earlier this month, Republican incumbent Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states.
The economy and jobs, terrorism and security and health care were next in the list of concerns, followed by social security and foreign policy. Bush's overall approval rating is at 53 per cent, a six per cent increase since late October.
Polling Data
What do you think should be president Bush's top priority in his second term?
The situation in Iraq | 39% |
The economy / Jobs | 19% |
Terrorism / Security | 15% |
Health care | 8% |
Social Security | 3% |
Foreign policy | 3% |
Middle East | 2% |
Education | 1% |
Abortion | 1% |
Taxes | 1% |
Other | 4% |
Don't know | 4% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as president?
Nov. 16-17 | Oct. 30-31 | |
Approve | 53% | 47% |
Disapprove | 40% | 46% |
Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.