September 16, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are clearly divided over the proposals of the commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 43 per cent of respondents favour David Petraeus’ recommendation to withdraw 30,000 soldiers from Iraq but leave 130,000 troops in place at least through the summer, while 38 per cent are opposed.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in the United States are clearly divided over the proposals of the commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 43 per cent of respondents favour David Petraeus’ recommendation to withdraw 30,000 soldiers from Iraq but leave 130,000 troops in place at least through the summer, while 38 per cent are opposed.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,776 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 27,800 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.

On Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker provided a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq to the U.S. Congress. During his testimony, Petraeus recommended scaling U.S. troop levels in Iraq and said the so-called troop surge—implemented earlier this year—had worked in "bringing down the number of ethno-sectarian deaths substantially in Baghdad and across Iraq since the height of the sectarian violence last December."

On Sept. 13, U.S. president George W. Bush addressed the nation to discuss the Iraq war. The American president said U.S. forces would be reduced by 5,700 troops in December, adding, "The principle guiding my decisions on troop levels in Iraq is ‘return on success’—the more successful we are, the more American troops can return home." Bush also said a decrease in the number of brigades—from 20 to 15—could take place in July 2008.

Democratic Virginia senator Jim Webb has proposed increasing the rest periods between deployments for American soldiers. Webb explained his rationale, saying, "I think that military officials can effectively perform the missions in Iraq and still take care of the troops."

Original Release from Rasmussen Reports

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq David Petraeus’ recommendation to withdraw 30,000 soldiers from Iraq but leave 130,000 troops in place at least through the summer?

 

Favour	43%
Oppose	38%

Source: Rasmussen Reports

Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 likely American voters, conducted on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.