January 22, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - American scrutiny of the war in Iraq is connected to political allegiances, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. 71 per cent of respondents who voted for Republican George W. Bush in the November presidential election believe the United States should keep military troo

(Angus Reid - CPOD Global Scan) - American scrutiny of the war in Iraq is connected to political allegiances, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey released by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. 71 per cent of respondents who voted for Republican George W. Bush in the November presidential election believe the United States should keep military troops in Iraq until a stable government is established, while 68 per cent of respondents who supported Democratic nominee John Kerry think the soldiers should be brought home as soon as possible.

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. On Nov. 2, incumbent Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states. Kerry earned 252 electoral votes from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,372 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 10,500 troops have been injured. While 63 per cent of Bush supporters believe the president has a clear plan for bringing the situation in Iraq to a successful conclusion, only three per cent of Kerry backers concur.

Iraqi voters are set to elect a 275-member transitional National Assembly on Jan. 30. The interim legislative branch is expected to draft a constitution. A new ballot to establish a permanent government has been tentatively scheduled for December. Respondents who voted for Bush are split over the human and financial cost of the coalition effort, while 85 per cent of Kerry supporters favour a short-term solution.

Polling Data

Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Iraq until a stable government is established there, or do you think the U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible?

	All	Bush (R)	Kerry (D)
Keep troops in Iraq	46%	71%	27%
Bring troops home	50%	26%	68%

Do you think George W. Bush has a clear plan for bringing the situation in Iraq to a successful conclusion, or don't you think so?

	All	Bush (R)	Kerry (D)
Has a clear plan	32%	63%	3%
Doesn't have a clear plan	62%	30%	94%

Agree or Disagree: Democracy and freedom in Iraq are important, but the war has cost the United States too much in lives and money already to stay much longer.

	All	Bush (R)	Kerry (D)
Agree	67%	46%	85%
Disagree	32%	52%	11%

Source: National Annenberg Election Survey / Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,202 American adults, conducted from Jan. 11 to Jan. 16, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.