February 27, 2009 11:02 AM

Americans Optimistic About Iraq, But Want Troops Home

By
Jennifer De Pinto
Topics
Poll Positions
(CBS/iStockphoto)
President Obama is announcing his plans for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq in an environment in which Americans are increasingly optimistic about how things are going for the U.S. there.

But while assessments of the war are now more positive, a solid majority of the public would like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq within 16 months. (The president is expected to announce that many U.S. troops will withdraw within 19 months, though up to 50,000 will remain.)

According to a CBS News/New York Times poll released on February 23rd, 63 percent of Americans say U.S. efforts to bring stability and order to Iraq are going very or somewhat well, a sentiment approaching levels not reached since December 2003, immediately after the capture of Saddam Hussein.

This evaluation is a reversal from a year ago, when just 43 percent of Americans described things in Iraq as going well.



Americans began feeling more positive about the situation in Iraq last fall. In September 2008, 52 percent said things were going well – the first time a majority said so since February 2005 (53 percent), shortly after Iraqi elections were held.

The public gave the war in Iraq its most positive marks in May 2003, shortly after then-President George W. Bush announced major combat operations in Iraq were over. Back then, 72 percent of Americans thought things were going well in Iraq.

Assessments of the Iraq war reached their lowest point in June 2007, when only 22 percent said things in that country were going somewhat well (including just 1 percent who said U.S. efforts were going "very well"). May 2007 saw the largest number of U.S. fatalities in Iraq in nearly three years.

In recent years, Americans have been divided over the Iraq war along party lines, with Republicans mostly positive about U.S. efforts and the Democrats holding negative views. However, the latest CBS News/New York times poll shows a marked increase in optimism among Democrats. 52 percent of them now say things are going well in Iraq for the U.S. – more than twice as many than thought so a year ago. 74 percent of Republicans think the war is going well.

THINGS GOING WELL FOR THE U.S. IN IRAQ
(By Party ID)

Among Democrats
Now: 52%
12/2008: 50%
2/2008: 24%
9/2007: 12%
6/2007: 8%

Among Republicans
Now: 74%
12/2008: 69%
2/2008: 69%
9/2007: 60%
6/2007: 52%

(CBS/AP)
Both men and women are now more positive about how things are going in Iraq compared to a year ago, but men (70 percent) remain more optimistic than women (55 percent). Optimism about U.S. efforts in Iraq is up among all age groups.

Even though views of the Iraq war have improved, 78 percent Americans think it is important that most U.S. combat troops are withdrawn from Iraq within 16 months, including 46 percent who think it is very important. President Obama is expected to announce a plan that will withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 19 months.

IMPORTANT THAT U.S. TROOPS LEAVE IRAQ IN 16 MONTHS
Very: 46%
Somewhat: 32%
Not too/at all: 18%

66 percent of Democrats think it is very important to remove combat troops from Iraq within 16 months, compared to just 28 percent of Republicans who say that. Another four in 10 Republicans do say it is somewhat important to remove U.S. troops.

More women than men think it is very important that U.S. troops come home from Iraq within 16 months.

VERY IMPORTANT THAT U.S. TROOPS LEAVE IRAQ IN 16 MONTHS
Democrats: 66%
Republicans: 28%
Independents: 39%
Men: 40%
Women: 52%

There is evidence that the American public is confident in President Obama when it comes to the situation in Iraq. A month into his presidency, 54 percent approve of the way he is handling the issue (even 45 percent of Republicans approve), significantly higher than George W. Bush's final rating on Iraq. As he was leaving office, just 25 percent of Americans approved of his handling of the war in Iraq.

Jennifer De Pinto is manager of election and survey information for CBS News.

Add a Comment See all 73 Comments
by credibility2 February 28, 2009 12:28 PM EST
The majority of our troops being withdrawn certainly isn't an Obama inspired idea. August 2010 is a distant target date and a lot could happen between now and then. I'd have more respect for Obama if he were to press for the Iraqi government to repay a large portion of our investment. Wasn't it fairly recent that it was disclosed that the Iraqi government had billions stashed? Weren't they supposed to repay us some portion of our investment, like oil? There are many things Obama can do, and trying to diplomatically recover some of this money is a good start.
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:17 AM EST
Bill, is the retired Major General who joined in on the suit requesting Obama to provide his vault birth certificate following a "deluded fantasy" as you call it, as well?
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:14 AM EST
Keep in mind Bill that it was a member of your precious party, Democrat liberal lawyer Philip Berg, who brought the issue of Obama's birth certificate to the forefront to begin with.

Several suits have followed since. But according to you, everybody is lying and has no grounds, and only Obama is capable of telling the truth.
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:12 AM EST
Where exactly in your deluded fantasies do you see this going? Inquiring minds wnat to know!
Posted by mcliar

I rest my case again Bill. You think anyone who dares to challenge Obama and stand up for our Constitution is following a "deluded fantasy", including the most recent suit brought against him by 2 members of our armed services serving in Iraq and a retired Major General.

Pride cometh before the fall Bill, just remember that.
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:10 AM EST
Hey Bill,

Do you trust in everything the Supreme Court says/does?

Apparently you do.

It's time you recognize the Constitution as the authority, not the arrogance of the Supreme Court. It's not the justices job to legislate from the bench and twist the Constitution to their liking.

Again, there are several lawsuits pending as we speak, including one with a retired Major General and 2 members of our armed forces serving in Iraq AS WE SPEAK.

So you can continue to fail to relinquish your pride in all this, which is your demise.

You are more concerned in defending Obama, than you are our Constitution
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:06 AM EST
The facts are out there stubborn Bill (mcliar), including a retired General who is also challenging Obama's eligibility. There have been 42 lawsuits (some still pending) regarding Obama's birth certificate. Many people are coming out and standing up for our Constitution here. You however believe everyone is lying except Obama, which is why you and your ilk are extremely dangerous.

It's time to drop your arrogant pride you have in Obama, and be an American citizen and be loyal to your country and our Constitution, not your political party.

Speaking of parties, it was a LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LAWYER, Philip Berg, who first brought the issue of Obama's birth certificate to the table.

Your pride is going to be your doom Bill. It's that simple.
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 11:02 AM EST
Hi Bill, (mcliar)

Still can't drop your stubborn pride I see. You think anyone who challenges Obama is being absurd, including a retired Major General and 2 other members of our armed forces.

It is people like you in our country who are a danger to our Constitutional values and principles. You don't believe anybody has the right to challenge Obama's positions or anything else about him.

You Bill, are not only dangerous, but you are visciously bigoted towards those who don't agree with you.

You are the real problem Bill, because instead of trying to protect and defend our Constitution, you would rather protect and defend your radical leader Obama and his party instead.
Reply to this comment
by inventagod February 28, 2009 10:10 AM EST
Americans are ignorant of the facts on Iraq, and are too apathetic to think for themselves.
So far, they have believed every lie Bu$h told them.
Americans have been Bu$hed, and don't even know it...
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 9:01 AM EST
Stick with your fake non-story if it works for you, but we have real problems that need to be addressed, and you're doing nothing to help.
Posted by hungry1968-13 at 5:57 AM : Feb 28, 2009

Still waiting on you to provide a source where Obama revealed his authentic birth certificate.

Can't do it can you hungry. So the only way you can divert attention away from the issue that ISN'T GOING TO DIE is by accusing anyone who dares to challenge Obama on this issue of lying.

Keep it up hungry. Still hoping somebody will pay attention to you, I know....and you're still in the dark, aren't you?
Reply to this comment
by singinrick09 February 28, 2009 8:48 AM EST
OPINION ; I personally don't care if the man was born in communist china.
posted by tootall1014

So you don't care if the sitting POTUS is eligible under our Constitution? Wow.
Reply to this comment
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