Poll: U.S. On Wrong Track

Iraq, Economy Named Top Concerns; Bush, Congress Get Low Marks

(CBS) 
THE WAR IN IRAQ
Two years after the fall of Baghdad, and with the war in Iraq ranking as the most important problem now facing the country, Americans divide on whether the U.S. did the right thing sending troops there. Forty-seven percent say the U.S. did the right thing in going to war, while 48 percent say the U.S. should have stayed out. For the past year, opinion has been divided much as it is now.

RIGHT THING TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ?

Right thing
Now
47%
2/2005
46%
4/2004
47%
3/2003
69%

Should have stayed out
Now
48%
2/2005
50%
4/2004
46%
3/2003
25%

Americans are also split on how things are going for the U.S. in Iraq: 48 percent say things are going well, while 50 percent say things are going badly. In February, on the heels of the Iraqi elections, more Americans (53 percent) said things were going well for the U.S.

HOW ARE THINGS IN IRAQ GOING FOR U.S.?

Well
Now 48%
2/2005 53%
1/2005 41%
12/2003 65%

Badly
Now 50%
2/2005 47%
1/2005 57%
12/2003 33%

HIGH GAS PRICES
The average price of gasoline in the United States is now more than $2 per gallon, and a majority of Americans report being personally affected by the high prices. Most Americans say this is an issue the president can do a lot about.

HOW MUCH DO HIGHER PRICES FOR GAS AFFECT YOU?

A lot
63%
Some
25%
Not much
8%
Not at all
4%

Those most affected by current high gas prices are Americans living in the South and rural areas, those earning less than $30,000 a year, and people between the ages of 18 and 29.

Americans may be looking to the White House for some relief: 61 percent of Americans think the price of gasoline is something a president can do a lot about, while 31 percent say it is beyond any president’s control.

IS THE PRICE OF GASOLINE SOMETHING A PRESIDENT CAN DO A LOT ABOUT?

Yes 61%
No 31%

Partisanship colors this view, though: Three-quarters of Democrats think high gas prices are something a president can do something about, compared to 44 percent of Republicans.

Most — 63 percent — say they will continue with their vacation plans this summer despite higher gas prices, but 34 percent will change their plans. Among those who have been affected "a lot" by higher prices, 48 percent say they will alter their vacation plans.

DO YOU EXPECT TO CHANGE YOUR VACATION PLANS DUE TO HIGH GAS PRICES?

Yes
Total 34%
Affected "A lot by gas prices" 48%

No
Total 63%
Affected "A lot by gas prices" 49%