Iraq: Four Years Later

Polls: War Has Been Longer, Bloodier Than Americans Expected; Most Favor Troop Pullout

(CBS)  After four years of war, Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the prospects for success in Iraq and a majority wants U.S. troops to begin coming home, according to an analysis of data from CBS News and CBS News/New York Times polls.

Americans did not expect the war to last this long, nor did they think it would cost as many lives as it has.

President Bush continues to receive low ratings on his handling of Iraq and most Americans now oppose his decision to send more troops there. Democrats, meanwhile, are challenging Mr. Bush's Iraq policy, winning House committee approval this week for a troop withdrawal deadline of Sept. 1, 2008, but suffering defeat in the Senate on a separate plan to end the war.

More than half the public now believes the U.S. will not succeed in Iraq. A February poll found that just 20 percent think there's something the U.S. can do to stop the fighting between Iraqis, while 70 percent think there's not much the U.S. can do about it.

WILL THE U.S. SUCCEED IN IRAQ?

3/2007
Very likely
11%
Somewhat likely
34%
Not very/at all likely
53%

Nearly seven in ten Americans now say things are going badly for the U.S. in Iraq; just 29 percent say things are going well. That's a complete reversal from May 2003, two months into the war, when more than seven in 10 thought things in Iraq were going well. Assessments remained positive until shortly after Saddam Hussein was captured in December 2003. Since then, however, views have become gloomier.

The war has been longer and bloodier than Americans expected. At the start of the war, Americans thought it would be a short conflict with fewer than 1,000 fatalities. Since then, over 3,200 U.S. troops have died and more than 24,000 have been wounded.

Asked in March 2003 how many U.S. troops they thought would die in the war, 66 percent of Americans said less than 1,000. Just 22 percent thought more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers would be killed.

EXPECTATIONS FOR U.S. LOSS OF LIFE

3/20-3/24/2003
Less than 1,000
66%
1,000-5,000
16%
More than that
6%

Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have also been killed in the war, but precise figures are difficult to come by. Estimates range from more than 50,000 into the hundreds of thousands, the Associated Press says. The U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq reports more than 34,000 deaths in 2006 alone.

In April 2003, just weeks after the fall of Baghdad, seven in 10 Americans thought U.S. troops would be in Iraq for two years or less. Only 27 percent thought they'd be there longer than two years.

Now, Americans indicate they're ready for the troops to start coming home. Fifty-six percent want to decrease U.S. troop levels or remove all U.S. forces from Iraq. Nearly six in ten oppose President Bush's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq.

U.S. TROOP LEVELS IN IRAQ SHOULD…

3/2007
Increase
22%
Keep the same number
17%
Decrease
28%
Remove all troops
28%

Americans give the president some leeway, however. More than half think it will take at six months to determine if the troop increase is working.

Despite the political arguments that have surrounded the troop and funding decisions, more than seven in ten Americans say one can oppose the war and still support U.S. troops.

The American people continue to give Mr. Bush low marks for his leadership on Iraq. His current approval rating is 28 percent; he has not reached the 30 percent mark since October 2006.

That's a far cry from April 2003, after the fall of Baghdad, when Mr. Bush enjoyed a high of 79 percent approval. But as U.S. troops continued to suffer casualties, even after the president's declaration that major combat had ended, more Americans began to disapprove of Mr. Bush's handling of the war. There was a brief surge in support following Saddam's capture, but more Americans have disapproved than approved of the president's handing of the war since March 2004.

Mr. Bush has also been hurt by the recent reports of shoddy treatment of veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Three in four Americans do not think the Bush administration has done enough to care for these wounded soldiers.

[micma-2009]

Heck of a job Bushies!

[xgi123]

There are absolutely no tactical changes that can be made to rectify a total stratigic failure.

This so called "war on terror" seems to be going about as well as the so called "war on drugs."

[downtowner97]

The conservative view that you can't have freedom without war is costing us our freedom, and more dollars than we can pay back. PULL OUT!

[xgi123]

Tom Delay? The man is no more than a common criminal and there seems to be many more of his type still in government both elected and appointed.

[tuckerndfw]

From the story:

"Americans did not expect the war to last this long, nor did they think it would cost as many lives as it has."

Now, why would that be?

Who was it that repeatedly claimed Iraqis would "greet us as liberators?"

Who was it that claimed "mission accomplished, major combat operations are over" (four years ago)?

Who was it that claimed the "hostilities would only last six months, if that"?

Who was it that claimed Iraq's oil would easily pay all the costs of the invasion, occupation and reconstruction?

Who is responsible for all those and many other lies?

And, why hasn't he been prosecuted?

[norcalruss]

I was against the GWB/Cheney stupidity in rushing to war even before it started. Everything I suspected has turned out to be true: lies and distortions about the need to go there, overly optimistic projections about the US being greeted as liberators, the cost in turns of blood and treasure, the irreparable damage done to international relations, the war creating more terrorists, and the destruction of Iraq. Now, four years later as the war goes on and on, it has cost the US over 25,000 casualties and $400,000,000,000.00. It has cost Iraqis hundreds of thousands of casualties, turned a million into refugees, destroyed their economy, and caused their nation to live in fear. I have one question for our idiot commander-in-chief; is this your idea of mission accomplished?

[frankly6]

Well Bushies, you wanted your war, you kicked and screamed for it, you expended incredible energy lying about it. Now as the war goes so do your political fortunes.

[j-whitman]

Listening to Stephen Hadley today in Iraq everything's rosey still -- Let's face it 30% of Amreica just doesn't care about our troops having armor, including Hadley, they will always be cannon fodder..

[j-whitman]

Guess who is still causing the Baghdad problems ?? -- Bush's friends, the ones who gave us 9/11 ,,, The Sunni's.

[forthepeaple]

HAVE BEEN TELLING ALL OF YOU TO GO AND READ THE FACTS TRUE FACTS ABOUT IRAQ AND IRAN..HOW MUCH LONGER TO I HAVE TO KEEP POSTING THE SAME THING UNTIL YOU ALL READ IT..go to www.scoop.co.nz go to search tab and put in PENTAGON WHISTLE-BLOWER IRAQ and read it..it is sad but true and until you americans wake up and smell the s/h/i/t/ that your government has been telling you for CENTURIES.....
I was once proud to be american and proud to say i i'm a vet,now i just want out.You all in congress and capital hill and white house should be working for america and the americans that elected you to protect us,that isn't the case and i know why. I have been looking and found something that all america has forgotton.Who said this statement: If the personal freedoms of all americans by the Constitution and bill of right are Inhibiting the Government ability to (Govern)that meant control, the people of united states of america..Than we Should look to Limit those GUARANTEES #2.The united states Government CAN'T BE so fixed on our desires to preserve the RIGHTS of ORDINARY AMERICANS #3.I can do any ********* thing i want,I'm president of the united states and you dont forget that.....who am I..... so you all have been following your orders well i want you all to know that i hold all of you accountable for the murders of thousends of americans that have died and wounded in a war we have no buisness being in,

[xgi123]

Clinton said those things. So what? Your rant is old. Democrat, Republican, all the same.

You hold us all responsible? So be it. I suppose you have as much right to judge as the next guy.

[imiri-2009]

I believe that a civil and democratic nation cannot think to impose democracy to other populations, in name of no reasons. America has claimed this right and now has to pay the consequenses. What makes me suffer is that the price of the terrible mistakes made by just one man will be paied by many innocent men and women and children who wanted nothing else but living in peace with their own rules, with their opinions, with their religion and with their problems. The price for democracy cannot be that high especially if the people who received didn't asked for such a present.

[feelfree1]

Are you fed up with the mass-murderous, Constitution wrecking Bush League?

Find an event near you, to display your dissatisfaction:

www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3545

[forthepeaple]

so xgi123, have you read the 9 pages yet..and what i was saying about clinton is what he stated is and has been going on for a long time our government doesn't want and will not help the average american. and no one in washington in the 3 house follows the constitution or give us americans our bill of rights

[arthurcl1]

Bush is a bungler! Him and V.P. Cheny should be tried on War Crimes and Lies to the American People all in the name of BIG OIL and Cheney's BECHTEL Company! Even Walter Reed Hospital is giving Shoddy Treatment to our solders!
The American people continue to give Mr. Bush low marks for his leadership on Iraq. His current approval rating is 28 percent; he has not reached the 30 percent mark since October 2006. More Americans have disapproved than approved of the president's handing of the war since March 2004.
Mr. Bush has also been hurt by the recent reports of shoddy treatment of veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Three in four Americans do not think the Bush administration has done enough to care for these wounded soldiers.

[j-whitman]

4 years later,, Iraq is much worse & so is Isreal,, we should redeploy to attack Isreal, & al Quaeda.

[zootallures2]

Try this pole:

1)How did Bush know he was safe at the school house when any plane in the sky could be hijacked at any minute?
a) God told him.
b) al-Qeada hates American people but loves it's leaders.
c) Bush is the real terrorist.

2) Why did Hani Honjoure go out of his way to hit a recently reinforced section of the Pentagon and not the head offices of Rumsfeld and to brass?
a) al-Qeada's main Jihad is against construction workers.
b) The third pillar of Islam states: "Hurt none who rank high in the United States Military".
c) Rumsfeld is really al-Qeada #3.

[downtowner97]

And the Fox News website headline for today: U.S Nabs 12 Suspected Terrorists in Iraq Raids. Well isn't that just fantastic! Never mind the 7, highly trained U.S. troops who died today in exchange for catching 12 people who were probably just pissed that there are U.S. troops in their country.

If I had to watch Iraqi soldiers driving by my house all day, I'd be a "terrorist" too. I mean no offense to the troops. They are just doing what they are told.

[zootallures2]

More Poles:

And speaking of "Poles", how did the American die raking leaves?
a) Heart attack from the wrong medication his doctor was paid off to prescribe by stock holders in the company that made the drug.
b) His wife ran him down after finding gay teen porn on his computer.
c) A Polish Jew told him he could save time by raking them in the tree.

[johnpatrick9]

It has to be said that all of you low brows and red state dimwits who voted once or twice for this neo-fascist-corporate junta of idiots should be ashamed for the rest of your lives for the manner in which you have betrayed the beauty and honor of this once beloved America. Hang your heads in shame for as what happened in Germany under Hitler you have nearly allowed it to happen here with your simple minded acceptance of the obvious that this administration is made up of greedy corporate nazi scum who have used your sons and daughters for cannon fodder and have wasted billions of our national wealth as well as raping a third world nation....as if the Japanese having attacked Pearl Harbor we attacked Brazil instead. Any one of you who voted for bush ...you were and are an idiot. Thanks for *** both America and Iraq.....so many dead, so many maimed by so many lies. Proudly at least 50% plus of real Americans never went along with this stupidity and welcome aboard those who have seen the Light. Time to Impeach these creeps.

[xlt150]

Can anyone remind me of WHY we went to Iraq in he first place and WHY are we still there. Is it to fight for democracy for the Iraqies? What about the democracy in or own country.

How are we to stop terrorist from entering our country when the majority of our military is overseas fighting a war that can't be won.......

[xgi123]

FORTHEPEAPLE, I have read the "9 pages" and there is nothing new there. The fact that government works only to perpetuate and preserve government is as old as the concept of government itself. To paraphrase one of the greatest contemporary philosophers of this country, "One thing all men on Earth have in common, BAD GOVERNMENT."---Zappa

[inventagod]

Your government has betrayed you.
Yet you just don't care enough to stop it.
Go ahead, impeach Bu$h and Cheney
Do something you can be proud of.

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM ASK THEM IF THEIR SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL TRUMPS THEIR DUTY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING KILLED FROM THEIR STATES?

ASK THEM HOW MUCH AIPAC INFLUENCES THEIR VOTES ON IRAQ?

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[e-mail] Here is the Republican Party email address too!

[e-mail] Here is the Democratic Party email address also!

[forthepeaple]

so xgi123, so its ok for your government to let this go on..

[zootallures2]

Bush, just keep saying to yourself, "Johnson killed Kennedy, false flagged the US to war in Vietnam, helped Isreal attack the the USS Liberty, and gave Israel the geen light to make as many nukes as they could fit in that small country... and not a darned think happened to him."

I have full confidence that VP Cheney could bring his shotgun to interviews and get away with it. And Alberto could host his own torture TV network that would sky rocket to #1 in a week.

[zootallures2]

Try this pole:

1)How did Bush know he was safe at the school house when any plane in the sky could be hijacked at any minute?
a) God told him.
b) al-Qeada hates American people but loves it's leaders.
c) Bush is the real terrorist.

2) Why did Hani Honjoure go out of his way to hit a recently reinforced section of the Pentagon and not the head offices of Rumsfeld and to brass?
a) al-Qeada's main Jihad is against construction workers.
b) The third pillar of Islam states: "Hurt none who rank high in the United States Military".
c) Rumsfeld is really al-Qeada #3.

And now the results after asking 250 million Americans. There is a 2% error margin.

1)How did Bush know he was safe at the school house when any plane in the sky could be hijacked at any minute?
a) God told him. - 38%
b) al-Qeada hates American people but loves it's leaders. - 61%
c) Bush is the real terrorist. - 1%


2) Why did Hani Honjoure go out of his way to hit a recently reinforced section of the Pentagon and not the head offices of Rumsfeld and to brass?
a) al-Qeada's main Jihad is against construction workers. - 25%
b) The third pillar of Islam states: "Hurt none who rank high in the United States Military". - 72%
c) Rumsfeld is really al-Qeada #3. - 3%

[bluestardad]

Remember AIPAC, Israeli and Saudi Arabian Neocon Supporters are pushing America to fight their wars for them!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."
READ AIPAC AD BELOW
http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

[kwlambi]

I dont understand why anyone would conduct a poll on this subject. stupid is as stupid does cbs.

[downtowner97]

Fox News just changed their headline to say 7 GI's Die in Iraq. Did I do that? (see earler post).

The money we spend defending Israel would put every man, woman and child in Israel on luxury cruise ships for life with hundred dollar bills to use for toilet paper.

The religios right is spending our money and blood to defend a country whose people don't even believe Jesus was the son of God. How's that for irony? I have nothing against Jews, I just don't feel we owe the nation of Israel our lives and future. They aren't even allowed to help us in our "War on Terror" because, believe it or not, they are less popular than even us.

[xgi123]

FORTHEPEAPLE, It is not "ok for [your] government to let this go on.." If you have the solution, please enlighten us all. Good government and world peace would be a boon to all mankind.

Is it just my government that doesn't seem to be doing what government is intended to do or is YOUR government and all the rest at fault also?

[bigsk8fan]

"Can anyone remind me of WHY we went to Iraq in he first place and WHY are we still there."
Posted by XLT150

Yes, we went to Iraq because: (1) they must have attacked the USA; or (2) they must have supported Al Qaeda who did attack the USA; or (3) they must have had WMD's like Bush said.

Well, none of these are true. We went to Iraq because we have warmongering leaders who think of nothing to keep their own power at any cost. They have lied to America and the World. And Rumsfeld and other top Bush Admin and Defense Dept individuals are answering War Crimes charges in an International War Crimes Tribunal in the country of one of our Allies (Germany). I guess that is NOT a surprise since there really is NO legitimate reason to be in Iraq now, XLT150.

[forthepeaple]

for one thing 123, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in right now if i were in charge. there would be only a big sand lot there and no one would be able to use anything in that regien for a long long time, and no one from america would of been killed

[downtowner97]

We need public opinion polls because America is not a Democracy, it's a Representative Republic. Leaders are democratically elected for a term, and then do whatever they want until their term ends or they are assassinated, impeached, shamed into resignation, or they die of natural causes or accidental pretzel choking.

During their terms, it is essential that our leaders hear what we think of what they are doing so they can make decisions appropriately. The media is responsible for conducting polls since no one else will. If you don't like the results of a poll, the only way to change those results is to change the reality of the issues being polled.

The biggest problem with polls is that millions of people turn off their home phones after deciding to use only their cell phones. People are also learning to get themselves on "do not call" lists or request that their numbers be unpublished. Pollsters then can only reach those who have not taken these measures.

If the only people being polled are those with landlines, who are home instead of out doing something, who also tend to answer calls when the caller ID says "unknown caller", the polls may eventually only reflect the opinions of idiots.

[xgi123]

FORTHEPEAPLE, Have at it! Run for office and do what you will. Just like the rest in power now.

[zootallures2]

Is the US winning the war in Iraq...hummmmm?

Let's see, in chess, if you capture the oponent's king and as an added plus, your oponent is trying to kill himself....

No, I think you need more tax money and troops... total failure!

[downtowner97]

Forthepeople: I wonder if you would like to personally kill Muslim children so that Iraq could be a "sand lot" or if you would want it to be done from long range so you couldn't see their faces.

[forthepeaple]

123-i am but because i do not have the money that all these monkeys have there is no media radio tv none will let a true american have a word in there are scard that if i would go on tv that this country would go back to hearing what america really wants so if you can help me tell me how i can help america. when no one want to help americans

[forthepeaple]

no 97- i want our america back. right now america is own by aipac,and israeli, and saudi,arabia, and lets not forget the super powers of china right now america is no longer america....

[forthepeaple]

at lease my will, would be for americans and not to be getting rich on blood money

[zootallures2]

Neo-cons say "The military's job is to destroy and break things"

That's funny, because for the pasts 4 years they've been trying to fix and rebuild Iraq.... maybe I missed something here?

LMAO!!!

[xgi123]

FORTHEPEAPLE, I'm not sure how to respond to your last post because I am not at all sure I understand it.

Grammer aside, if you do not have the money to spend on an election you cannot get elected. Sad as that may be, that's the simple truth.

[forthepeaple]

123- the truth about the matter is that in this country every person should be herd but that is not what is happening,i have ask any and all to let me just and average american vet have a debate on national tv with all that are running and no one would know what questions would be ask and lets see what would happen,,,i know this much..i would be the only choice for america to get back to being for americans...have someone get this done send me a note at [e-mail]

[xgi123]

FORTHEPEAPLE, You are, at this moment, having a discussion "with an average American vet" in a national forum. Other than destroying the middle east, what would you do to bring good government to this country and the rest of the world?

[forthepeaple]

let me ask you 123- what was more important out of these. getting katrina people back to normal or building a 1,000,000,000,000 dollar embassy in iraq, and to build 5 super mega military bases in iraq..so what is more important to you..

[zootallures2]

"The military's job is blowing up and breaking things"

"The military is on a nobel mission to rebuild Iraq"

So neo-cons... which is it???????

I think as soon as you solve this argument, there may actually be a strategy for the war in Iraq.

[xgi123]

I think that rebuilding the gulf coast is much more inportant than building any military bases in Iraq. Does that help you understand anything?

[iceman_1960]

"Is the US winning the war in Iraq...hummmmm? Let's see, in chess, if you capture the oponent's king and as an added plus, your oponent is trying to kill himself.... No, I think you need more tax money and troops... total failure!"
Posted by zootallures2

In chess, when you capture the opponent's king, and three years later the game is still raging on with no end in sight, it suddenly occurs to you...

THIS AIN'T NO EFF'N CHESS GAME !!

And if it were, the last person in America I'd want making moves for my side on the chessboard, is George W. Bush.

[forthepeaple]

before i would worrie about the rest of the world i would make sure our country was fix and clean out of government everyone. and start all over with a government for the people of this country. that has to be done first...after that i would have all americans back in this counrty and surround our countrys borters with our military..and by makeing a sand lot that would tell the rest of the world that america and all americans will not take anyones ***, and i think the rest of the world would sit back and say lets keep to ourself.

[iceman_1960]

n.b. Never in a game of chess is the opponent's king captured.

He is checkmated, which means he would be captured if he were to move again. The losing player generally resigns long before that happens.

His king is never actually captured.