Poll: Americans Wary U.S. Ready For Attack

CBS News Poll: Americans Are Split On Bush Policies, Likelihood Of Future Attack

(CBS)  On the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Americans are split on whether another attack is likely, but they are increasingly unified in believing that, should the unthinkable happen, the government is not adequately prepared to handle it, a new CBS News/New York Times poll indicates.

Today, 48 percent of Americans believe another attack is likely in the next few months, up from 38 percent in July, just after reports of a failed terrorist bombing plot in London. While 48 percent also think an attack is at least somewhat likely, only 9 percent say such an event is “very likely” - matching a low mark last seen in August 2005.

While opinions about a future attack are uniform across the political spectrum, 54 percent of women said an attack was likely, compared to only 40 percent of men.

While Americans are split on the prospect of a future attack, they are increasingly pessimistic about the government’s ability to respond. Fifty-six percent of respondents said the United States is not adequately prepared to deal with another attack, while 39 percent believe it is.

The percentage of Americans who believe the country is not prepared for another attack has steadily increased since the beginning of the Iraq war, when only 29 percent believed the country would be unable to handle an attack. Much of that shift appears due to declining confidence among Republicans: Last year, two-thirds of them thought the nation was prepared, compared to only half now. Independents have lost faith, too - only 32 percent of them believe the country is prepared today, compared to half in 2006.

Americans also remain split on whether President Bush’s policies have made the country safer. Today, 49 percent believe the president’s policies have helped keep terrorism at bay, while 26 percent feel the country is less safe - those numbers are essentially unchanged since August 2006. However, they represent a significant shift since the start of the Iraq war, when 60 percent of Americans believed the administration had made the country safer.

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This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1263 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone September 4-9, 2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher. An oversample of those with family members who are now serving in the U.S. armed forces or the U.S. reserves was also conducted for this poll, for a total of 349 interviews among this group. The results were then weighted in proportion to the composition of the adult population in the U.S. Census. The margin of error for military families is plus or minus 5 percentage points.

[trillion1]

With the cadaver bush put in charge of the DHS every American should be concerned.

[hypnotoad72]

If Americans remain vigilant, the chances lessen. We can expect government and corporations to only do so much. And as much as I don''t mind security cameras, they aren''t enough.

It IS okay to call in unusual activity. And if asked questions by a policeman, just tell the truth. I don''t see what the problem is.

[libsluvsuvs]

I am more worried about the liberals succeeding in opening the road to unhindered attacks..relying on diplomatic solutions why jihadists are ripping cities a new one.

[feelfree1]

About the only way that I can imagine Cheney clinging to power, is by orchestrating another "TERRA" attack on U.S. soil, declaring martial law, and postponing elections, for our own protection, of course. Either that, and/or waging another illegal war of aggression against Iran.

At any rate, I would be surprised if we did NOT see another "TERRA" attack sooner than later, and just like the events of 9/11/01, I think that we will be able to follow the trail of those who profit from it, to determine who is responsible.

www.zeitgeistmovie.com

[feelfree1]

Our financial markets are on the brink of a major collapse, and Western Corporate media outlets like CBS have been softening us up with an array of unsubsatantial reports about the ficticious "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq" group.

We have the recent fake "Osama" video being heavily promoted in the Western corporate press, with another one apparently on the way. We have seen our military "accidentally" flying nuclear warheads around the country as well.

Another attack certainly seems to be in the works.

[skyk-2009]

I am more worried about the liberals succeeding in opening the road to unhindered attacks..relying on diplomatic solutions why jihadists are ripping cities a new one.
Posted by libsluvsuvs at 08:23 PM : Sep 10, 2007

I can''t understand you people. When you look back to 9/11 and at EVERY point afterward there is ONE fact that can not be ignored. The American''s you refer to as "Liberal" have been right on the mark about all the mistakes, blunders and missteps. "Liberal''s" wanted Bush to show our Allies respect, allow the UN Inspectors time, before committing to a all out War in Iraq. They wanted him to be inclusive and stay away from the "you are with me or against me" attitude. They wanted him to apply a Diplomatic approach to Iraq instead of simply Military. The list goes on and on. The Bush Administration is nothing but one failure after another and YOU fear the folks who have consistently been right, the one''s who have lead us through TWO World Wars. No wonder you pick losers like Bush!

[itchyb-2009]

"I am more worried about the liberals succeeding in opening the road to unhindered attacks..relying on diplomatic solutions why jihadists are ripping cities a new one.
Posted by libsluvsuvs at 08:23 PM : Sep 10, 2007"

Yes, again blame "the liberals" for any and all things you fear. It is really pathetic that "the liberals" are in you mind "the enemy". Here''s a clue, sparky, we "liberals" are Americans, and as recounted below it seems that Bush & Co. can do no wrong in your eyes. Step back and take a look at the state of the union and ask yourself who is repsonsible for a divided nation from the man who said he was the "uniter", attempted nation building from the man who said he was not interested in the U.S. participating in nation building. Ya know, the list goes on and on. But, by god, it''s "the liberals". Wake up.

[afmca]

As the Bush lemmings once again try to shift the blame, they again get caught by the facts. What party has had practically unchecked power for 6+ years? Which party has been in complete control of Homeland Security since 9/11? Which party acquiesced their Constitutional duty to provide checks and balances to an imperial presidency? What party has had unlimited funding for both Afghanistan and Iraq and still cannot provide armored Humvees? What party can always find money for Halliburton non-bid contracts, but consistently under funds veteran care? Which party said they would track down the terrorists where ever they may be and now allows a sanctuary for alQaeda in Pakistan? REPUBLICANS. Sorry to end your delusions.

[afmca]

Once again fiction is believed to be fact. alQaeda and BinLaden will never take over the Middle East if American forces depart, it will be Iran (which is actually worse). Iran will rid Iraq of both Sunnis and alQaeda the same way Saddam ruled Iraq and controlled the Shiites.. pure terror and unthinkable brutality. Iran, Saudi Arabia, etal all know BinLaden''s brand of Islam is more of a threat to them than us. They just enjoy watching America get slowly cut up in Iraq. If America leaves the biggest losers will be the big American oil companies that earlier lost control of Iranian and Saudi oil and now will not have Iraqi oil to boost their bonuses.

[clestes-2009]

It is amazing to me that 39% think we are ready. How stupid is that? How can we ready when our army, marines and national guard are overseas and at the breaking point?

Who is going to protect us here? The navy? the airforce?

We have been abandoned by our ever clueless leader in a fruitless overseas effort, orchastrated by the Israeli lobby, which has accomplished NOTHING that anyone wanted.

Bush wanted to go down as the president who spread democracy in the middle east and secured oil for his big oil buddies. The Israelis wanted to knocked out their enemy Iran. The result of their collabaration is the destruction of Iraq, the killing of a million people, the destruction of the US military, the trillion dollar US debt, the strengthening of Iran and the destruction of American civil liberities.

So, are we ready for another attack. Hell no, we are weaker today than we were 6 years ago. And with Bush continuing to create enemies in the middle east, we are bound to have another attack.

Bush could not have made it worse if he had actually tried.

[tucano2]

Thousands are invading our country weekly, and Mr. Bush and the dupes in Congress have done little or nothing to increase funding and authority to ICE, complete a Brownsville to San Diego REAL fence, cut off tax-exempt status to so-called non-profits (including religious organizations) that aid and abet the invaders, cut off any funds to cities and/or police departments that provide "sanctuary" for these invaders and/or refuse to comply with USA law and cooperate fully with ICE. Of course American citizens are angry, knowing that the next encounter with an illegal alien (likely an already convicted criminal) is going to be in a hit-and-run incident involving an unlicensed illegal alien criminal with no insurance, no vehicle registration, and no excuse for being in our country because government officials will not do their jobs. We Americans will be voting for those persons and getting them into office who are most adament about enforcing current laws and cutting off funds to those who do not do so (unless of course illegal aliens and their supporters fraudulently vote also).

[cmp271]

TO: mascarponi and afmca

We also had EIGHT YEARS under a President who should have been doing his job and going after the terrorists. A mess was dumped on the Republicans to sort out, as is usual after a Democrat has been in office. The Iranian crisis, under Carter-another Democrat- was ended by Reagan''s 4 point plan if the hostages weren''t released, they knew he meant what he said and complied!!! Clinton should have done more after the first attack on the twin towers. Clinton was more interested in getting a *** and not doing his job for the safety and security of our country. Reagan knew the trouble we would be facing and so did George Senior, Clinton just decided not to face this problem and stick his head in the sand. These terrorist acts started over twenty years ago now. So let''s put blame where it belongs, the years ''92-2000!!!

[libsluvsuvs]

all I know is that the liberal media IS READY to make money out of it..

[dmgenet]

I think an accounting of all the post 9/11 money that has gone out to the states for security should be posted. What EXACTLY has this money been spent on? Exactly!

I have read of neumerous accounts of of the money going to non-security indulgences. This from the Republican party who used to pride itself on getting rid of wasteful spending. If they could only get their ******* out of the money hole and engage their brains instead they''d of had a cultural revolution.

Instead we had unparralled greed and corruption, deciet, lies, strong arming technques and swift boating extraordinaire. Now, that is something to put on your resume. Always nice to see that the sociopaths are in charge.