Poll: Three in four back Iraq troop pullout
CBS
Three in four Americans support President Obama's decisions to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year, a new CBS News survey finds. Seventy-seven percent approve of the decision, including 63 percent of Republicans. Just 17 percent disapprove.
The position appears to be grounded in a sense that America made a mistake in entering Iraq in the first place. Sixty-seven percent of Americans say the result of the Iraq war was not worth the loss of American life and other costs associated with the war, while just 24 percent say it was worth it. Republicans are more likely to say the war was worth the costs, but even among Republicans, one in two say it was not worth it.
Americans are more supportive when it comes to removing Saddam Hussein from power, though they still question the decision. Forty-one percent say removing the former Iraqi leader from power was worth the costs, while 50 percent say it was not.
Poll: Americans' views on foreign policy
Poll: Obama disapproval rating on economy at record high
Romney leads Cain 2-to-1 in electability, says CBS News poll
Read the complete poll (PDF)
Preview: GOP candidates ready for CBS News/National Journal debate
This poll was conducted by telephone from November 6-10, 2011 among 1,182 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The margin of error for the sample of registered voters could be plus or minus three points and six points for the sample of Republican primary voters. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
Popular in Politics
- Immigration reform would cut deficit, analysis shows 69 Comments
- House Republicans pass 20-week limit on abortions 123 Comments
- Senators: U.S. must take "more decisive" military action in Syria
- Obama and Berlin: Faded echoes meet new realities
- Snowden: U.S. gov't destroyed my chance for fair trial
- Bill Ayers: Obama should be tried for war crimes
- FBI: Surveillance info helped reveal subway, stock exchange bombings 213 Comments
- Treasury secretary's loopy signature is now less loopy
One more time, "Peace With Honor!"
Now run.
When the **** attacked Peral Harbor, the US forces were, thanks to the isolationist attitude of many influential commentators and politicians,the USA was unready to fight even a bush war on the Mexican border in 1939.
The Military Brass hailed the Cavalry as the answer, even with the exposure to WWI which introduced mass artillery and tanks for the first time.
We were badly placed even in 1942 and much hard work was needed and fortunately occurred so that 1944 D-Day became the success we all remember.
Today with the lessons of Iraq/Afghanistan behind us, and with better intelligence than that available in 1939, we still are planning to reduce US Armed Forces!?
Do politicians NEVER learn from the past??
Iran: Will they wont they? Have they haven`t they?
Is this the best USA can do...Guess??
Perhaps we need to send out a clear enough message so that EVEN A FOOL will believe it...EVEN MUSLIM FOOLS!!
Iran is reported as being "Close" to having an A-Bomb.
They KNOW that Israel has nuclear weapons. They know how that same state whipped the whole Arab world in SIX DAYS, in 1967.
They know that the USA has many Nuclear weapons, and that US Aircraft carriers are able to strike with nuke tipped missiles anywhere in the world.
But they are a relgiously run nation, who believe their God will take care of the USA.
If they would ever consider using an A weapon, perhaps it would be because of their belief that Allah would come to their rescue and destroy the "Infidels".
Whilst legends may be ok in history books and Bronze Age texts, the fact remains that they may have people in charge fool enough to believe their own religious propaganda!!
Perhaps a smart move would be for the White House to put out the message that, were Iran to launch against anyone, for that matter, if ANYONE was to launch N weapons at USA or allies, they would see their country converted from a vibrant area to a smoking ruin, as USA would retaliate.
The reason the Iranians are pushing the boundaries is that the present WH incumbent in his first act as President actually said "let`s be Friends"!!!
The message which Reagan gave to Gadhaffi in the 1980s re the Gulf of Sirte (international waters), was basically "Don`t mess with the US Navy".
Ghadaffi did. As a result many Libyans died and many Libyan aircraft were destroyed, along with ships.(By the US Navy)
The Iranian Mullahs need to be sent a similar message.
Unfortunately Obama does not have the mettle that Reagan had, Neither does he seem to love the USA as Reagan did, otherwise our President would have the State Department draw a line in the sand for the benefit of the Iranian leaders!
Pity it may come to another shooting war before Washington learns how to speak from strength, and that a US threat is usually followed by US action!
Remember, we have had more people killed in wars since 1945 than is good for the world, yet politicians still believe they can use force to get their own way. (The present Middle East is a prime example)
USA need to send out a clear message to would be agressors, and be willing to back it up! To this end, stopping the cuts in the US military is a good way to convince the international community.
For as China is now taking US technology and copying it to allow the N Koreans technology to be improved and sold to anyone who may want it to use against us, now is NOT the time to return to a pre Pearl Harbor military mindset!!
We are seeing massive cuts to military, and different signals coming from the WH and Pentagon.
Anyone remember Ronald Reagan during the Cold War??
Asked his opinion as to what he thought about the Cold War and the standoff between USA and USSR. Reagan replied "Simple, We win, They lose!"
Perhaps todays hopefuls for the White House should take to heart the simplicity of message Reagan used, and remember We actually DID win the Cold War...thanks to a great communicator and a great President!
No chance of the present WH incumbent imitating Reagan`s success any time soon.
But USA desperately needs a leader who will concentrate on the USA and take strong action to defeat the foes of the USA.
I do not see one in the present line up...from ANY party!!