Poll: Doubts About McCain's View Of Iraq

CBS News Survey: 39% Say GOP Presidential Candidate Paints Too Rosy A Picture Of War

(CBS)  John McCain's upbeat view of the war in Iraq isn't shared by many Americans, according to a CBS News poll.

McCain's negative ratings have risen this year, and a sizeable number of Americans believe he's painted too rosy a picture of the situation in Iraq.

The poll was conducted before the GOP presidential hopeful made what his campaign called a major speech on Iraq Wednesday at the Virginia Military Institute.

Thirty-nine percent of those polled said McCain's descriptions of U.S. progress in Iraq make things sound like they're going better than they actually are. That's compared with 29 percent who believe McCain, who recently returned from a trip to the war-torn country, is describing the situation in Iraq accurately.

WHEN MCCAIN TALKS ABOUT IRAQ, HE MAKES THINGS SOUND…

Better than they really are
39 percent
Worse than they really are
9 percent
Describing things accurately
29 percent
Don't know/No answer
23 percent

McCain’s strong support for the war could have political consequences for him: registered voters' views of McCain have grown more negative this year. Today more voters view him unfavorably than favorably, by 31 to 26 percent. Despite his presidential campaign, however, McCain remains unknown to, or elicits no opinion from 42 percent of voters.

OPINION OF JOHN MCCAIN
(Registered voters)

Favorable
26 percent
Unfavorable
31 percent
Undecided/Haven't heard
42 percent

The poll also found that two-thirds of Americans continue to believe things are going badly in Iraq, about the same number as a month ago but more negative than one year ago.

A majority, 54 percent, is also not optimistic that the U.S. can succeed in Iraq.

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Read the complete CBS News poll results.

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For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 480 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone April 9-10, 2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus five percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

[emhawks]

In 2000, I would have voted for McCain (I'm an Independent), but no more. As many of you know, McCain has a son in Iraq (I believe he's in the Marine's). His position on(& comments about) the Iraq war & his strong support of Bush/Cheney make me wonder if he's loosing his mind or having mini-strokes (transient ischemic attacks--TIA's).
I think he needs an MRI of the brain!

[idlepugilist]

Sen McCain has a fairly unique perspective on war, considering the hell he went through as a pow. I originally believed he would held a more reasoned approach to Iraq than Bush, but now we see he's simply trying to justify his vote for war. On the other hand, it could also be a result of a deal cut with the Bush administration or the RNC to cast their support behind McCain if he'd just talk up the justification for the war and color it all rosey.
Too bad for McCain this war cannot possibly end anytime soon as it is currently being managed, and Bush would like nothing more than to dump his biggest disaster on the next President. Bush can retain a meager amount of dignity as President if he can skate out of the White House without having to see the end of American involvement in his Iraq War.

[idlepugilist]

Sen McCain has a fairly unique perspective on war, considering the hell he went through as a pow. I originally believed he would held a more reasoned approach to Iraq than Bush, but now we see he's simply trying to justify his vote for war. On the other hand, it could also be a result of a deal cut with the Bush administration or the RNC to cast their support behind McCain if he'd just talk up the justification for the war and color it all rosey.
Too bad for McCain this war cannot possibly end anytime soon as it is currently being managed, and Bush would like nothing more than to dump his biggest disaster on the next President. Bush can retain a meager amount of dignity as President if he can skate out of the White House without having to see the end of American involvement in his Iraq War.

[mh4cbs1]

Take the coffins of our dead soldiers and line them up end to end and they will go on and on for 4 miles! Think about it next time you are driving along the highway. For FOUR MILES imagine the coffins rushing past you, each with grieving families, fatherless kids.

BUSH AND CHENEY belon in JAIL for LYING us into this Disaster.

[ajmarine1]

pakaal,

Thank you for your "civil" answer to my question.

You have a good night too.

[bluestardad]

HEY WAS McCain in the Iraqi Parliment today when that bomb went off? POUND THAT UP YOUR STAY THE COURSE REPUBLICAN BACK SIDE BUDDY!

[taddles-2009]

"but there will still be people out there that want to kill us"

Have you bothered to ask why they want to kill us?

We created this problem by getting in on one side of a fight and allienating the other side (Isreal and Palestine). Then we made it worse by ignoring the religeous and social concerns of Muslims. In the 80's we supported Saddam Husein during the Iran-Iraq war and Bin Laden and the Mujahideen during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. We created both of these problem children and then we demonized them and alienated the whole region.

First we need to get out of Iraq because all we are doing there is giving the Jihadists a close visible target. Then we need to invest as much money in rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan and supporting Democratic leaning governments as we have pissed away on this useless war. We need to use diplomacy and financial carrots to convince the people in the Middle East that we are not there to conquor them and continue the "crusades". We need to grow the fu@k up and act like adults in the region rather than like stupid 6 year old brats who throw a tanturm when they don't get their way.

People don't hate us because we have "freedom" and democracy, they hate us because we are arrogant and elitist and treat them with contempt. If someone came into my neighborhood and killed my friends and forced thier views and ways on me I would hate them too.

[ajmarine1]

Jerryomara,

"AJMarine1 You are a racist pig."

With such a witty and intelligent answer to my question, I really see the errors of my thought process. Thanks for making it so clear.

With the way you explain your point of view you outta go on TV and share your great wisdom with everyone.

[taddles-2009]

8 years ago before your "buddy" GW had his friend Sam Fox, the recess apointed ambassador to Belgium, swift boat you right out of the Repub. nomination you were actualy worth listening too. Now you're nothing but a Bush apologist. The straight talk express is off the tracks and is now the Curve-Ball express.

What a waste, you used to have something important to say, now your just a useless tool.

[interobserv]

"...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. " - Hermann Goering

[condumism]

McCain has ZERO CHANCE of ever being Prez of the USA. As a matter of fact, no Republicon can win the Presidency in 2008. Look at the field of GOPigs: Gulliani, just another terrorist running as the fascist "Fear candidtate;" Romney, member of the "Cult of Mormon and Latter Day Ain'ts." Here's another list of fascists, all US Senator's that America needs to also flush down the toilet in 2008:

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)

[soldat44]

"Deadly Blast Rips Iraq Parliament
Suspected Suicide Bomber In Cafeteria, As Many As 6 Lawmakers Killed" April 12, 2007

Take the Poll now...

[Bullrider69]

John McCain is a flip-flopper in my opinion,he says one thing today,and something else tomorrow! I could not,and would not vote for anyone if I had any doubt's about his or her integrity.John McCain and George W. Bush think too much alike!!Back in 2000 I would have voted for John McCain, today I see him for what he is.

[abbe7]

bizzzz

"I like John McCain. If you ever saw the movie or read the book Faith of My Fathers"

If you would have read "Mein Kampf", you might say
the same things about his writer, a WWI hero ...
who lead a war against terrorism in Spain, in Poland, in Russia, etc.

[jpesot]

You don't beat terrorists by "killing them all". There will always be a new terrorist group to contend with somewhere in the world.

The way you defeat terrorism is by draining its source of new recruits. You beat it wih your ideals. The goal of the terrorist is to provoke a larger entity and get it to respond in ways which contadict the larger entitites stated values.

And this is why GW's war is failing. At every turn he has reacted predictably and violated US ideals. He's providing the terrorists with more evidence that we are not only trying to get rid of the terrorists, but that we're really trying destroy Islam all together.

Its important to note that the main terror threat isn't residing in Iraq. Its in Afganistan (and Pakistan). Al Qaeda sends a relatively small group to contiue to agitate in Iraq, and GW responds predictably. Meanwhile, the real Al Qaeda threat quietly builds, hidden in cells around the world ... cells that GROW as they watch GW's folly in Iraq.

He's made us less safe, not more.

He can't find them where they are, so he continues to participate in a civil war, claiming he's fighting terrorists.

[pakaal]

AJMarine1 wrote " I know you say the Iraq people will sort out their lives, but there will still be people out there that want to kill us, not to mention the whole world Muslim thing. "

Just wanted to mention - with all due respect - that our being in Iraq doesn't stop anyone from wanting to "kill us" (meaning destroy America, I guess you mean), and in many people's opinion, gives more of them more reason to want to kill us.

As for the "world Muslim thing" we've all managed to stay civil on and off, mostly on, for the past 2,000 years give or take. It's not Islam that's the problem, no matter how devoutly people wish it to be so.

Have a good night.

[ajmarine1]

Toldyouso21,

After reading your posts, I don't agree with your point of view, I'm a Bush fan, but you state your points very well and seem to be intelligent. Please don't lecture me about the evils of Bush and the war, you've already presented your feeling in a well thought out and impressive manner.

What I would like to hear from you is if we can't kill all the terrorist and we do pull our troops out of Iraq, what are we to do? I know you say the Iraq people will sort out their lives, but there will still be people out there that want to kill us, not to mention the whole world Muslim thing.

I once read a post that said, "You only have three options when dealing with terrorists, you kill them, they kill you, or you convert to Islam." Again, I am asking you, what do we do?

[toldyouso21]

To ObservantX-
I was a marine for 8 years and served in the first gulf war (in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), my MOS was explosive ordinance, I won four medals and six ribbons. I now live in southern Ca, work in real estate, and live a house with a view of the ocean. Your calling me a loser and a traitor? What do you do? How many medals has your country given you?
Your nobody. Your a loser and your family thinks your a loser.
Posted by bizzzz at 06:20 PM : Apr 11, 2007


The word is You're. A contraction of you are. Your is a possesive and means it belongs to you.

Use some of your virtual wealth you are bragging about and go back to school, there is nothing worse than a rich, uneducated, classless, blowhard, braggart. Except one that lies us into wars and gets to be a criminal President. Medals are given for what you do in a war--they have very little meaning here in civilian life except to bring them out to people who wished they could have/ would have served. More important is how you treat others and how you improve life in America now, it is great that you have such a great life, but rather repulsive if your only concern is for you and the stuff you can brag about. Try to leave this world being a bit decent, God will NOT be impressed by how many people you blew up or by your home by the ocean.

[toldyouso21]

feel no safer now with all our financial and military assets gone overseas, than I did in 9/11. If we need to be on guard, why not guard our own soil HERE, protect our own people HERE, instead of leaving us all vulnerable while Bush runs terrorists around in some other country?
Posted by AaaBee at 05:57 PM : Apr 11, 2007


Good point. I said it in 2001 and the ISG report concurred, you cannot kill all the terrorist or even know who they are. For every terrorist we kill, we make an enemy of their entire clan, the family, the friends, the friends of friends. and since terrorism takes place in the mind first and leaves no discerning marks, the only way to ensure we kill all terrorists in Iraq is to kill all Men, women and children in the entire middle east. Because you never know when you kill one, who he was connected to, who his kids are, who his wife is connected to, and you never know even as they wave at you in the street, if they secretly wish your death.

An American soldier said it best: "They laugh and take gifts from us, and the next day, they just watch as our guys run into an IED" There is no love lost in Iraq for our presence. We are saviours and heros in our own eyes and minds only.

[toldyouso21]

"The enemies that we do not kill today will kill us tomorrow, or we will have to kill them then. That is the simple reality that 9-1-1 taught us. Losing this war will cost many innocent lives. Posted by US8th_Hit at 04:03 PM : Apr 11, 2007

How do you know when you have killed all of your enemies? A smart enemy would pretend to be your friend, even work to prove they are on your side, then when your back is turned--stab you in it. After all, as your enemy they owe you no honesty, no loyalty, no support. And a smart enemy will know to get close to you so that you do not suspect him until it is too late and so you will not be on guard.

The key thing people do not remember about Mesopotamia and other Arab lands--we fight and count our time in a war in months or years and rarely, a decade. Arab countries count their wars in CENTURIES and they pass on the dictate to avenge. They can afford to wait decades if they have to, before finally taking their revenge--those who do not have that mindset cannot imagine such a resolved purpose--but understand this: NO ONE forgives busybodies for coming to their land, destroying their culture and their families. A culture sooo old it is mentioned in the bible as Babylon. They will never, ever like us. No matter how they grin in our faces, take lollipops and cookies and work in the puppet government. They will never like us or forgive us and even if it does not happen in their life time, they will pay us back.