Support For Iraq War Highest Since 2006

Politico: Americans' Feelings On War In Iraq Likely To Shape Presidential Race

(The Politico) 
“We have seen at great cost here that the surge has resulted in a reduction of violence. That’s indisputable,” said a top Obama foreign policy adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “But we have not seen any of the political progress that will be necessary to have that long-term stability.

“[Obama] believes the best way to induce change is to have this strategic redeployment,” the adviser added.

While Democrats increasingly constitute the bulk of voters who support the withdrawal of troops, the public shift of opinion overall has been dramatic. As many voters now believe that the war is going “well” as “not well” - 48 percent each, according to Pew.

Pew also found that 49 percent favor bringing the troops home as soon as possible, while 47 percent say the troops should stay in until the situation stabilizes - statistical parity between the two positions.

Late February polling conducted by CBS News has also shown that the public view of the war is better than at any point since August 2006. CBS recently found that 43 percent of the country believes the war is going “well” - less than Pew found but still double the level of last June.

Democrats remain in step with the public mood on the question of the decision to go to war. Pew and CBS have found that a majority of Americans, including independents, continue to believe that the choice to wage war with Iraq was “wrong” - a figure that has held for years.

McCain is betting, however, that the public will view the war through a forward-looking lens. For months, he has argued that Democrats intend to “retreat” in Iraq and ensure failure.

The public may soon come to view that as “a correct narrative,” said O’Hanlon, a Democrat whose views on the war have made him the bête noire of many in the anti-war liberal base.

Perhaps as a result of the uptick in support for the war or his own military record, McCain is well-positioned to retake the party’s traditional advantage on national security issues.

Almost half of registered voters now believe it is “very likely” that McCain would be an “effective commander in chief,” according to CBS polling. Less than one-quarter said the same of Obama and Clinton.

In addition, CBS found that a clear majority of Americans were “confident” that McCain could “handle an international crisis” - 56 percent said so for McCain, 47 percent for Obama and only 39 percent for Clinton.

The McCain campaign has signaled plans to continue highlighting his differences with Democrats over Iraq policy. Meanwhile, Democrats plan to continue to frame McCain as a central player in the president’s Iraq policy who is likely to continue in the same direction.

“Sen. McCain is clearly going to try to depict the Democrat, whoever it is, as cut and run,” the Clinton adviser said. “And Sen. Clinton, or whoever is the Democratic nominee, is clearly going to try to depict Sen. McCain as one who would stay there for centuries.”

For the time being, however, McCain can claim that roughly half of the public does not support a troop withdrawal - a first since the 2008 presidential race began.

[homespunlady]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA ROTFLMAO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA I can''t stand it. It''s Just TOO FUNNY. Who''d they survey? Mental wards?

Now on a Lighter Note in the "GOOD NEWZ PROPAGANDA DEPT"

(Washingtonpost.com) This story was written by Paul Kane.
The former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars -- and possibly as much as $1 million -- of the organization''s funds into his personal accounts, GOP officials said yesterday, describing an alleged scheme that could become one of the largest political frauds in recent history.

For at least four years, Christopher J. Ward, who is under investigation by the FBI, allegedly used wire transfers to funnel money out of NRCC coffers and into other political committee accounts he controlled as treasurer, NRCC leaders and lawyers said in their first public statement since they turned the matter over to the FBI six weeks ago.

"The evidence we have today indicated we have been deceived and betrayed for a number of years by a highly respected and trusted individual," said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the NRCC chairman

Can we leave now?

[samthetvcat]

Only 30% support McCain''s ''surge'' without a timeline or benchmarks . . . that''s about the same percentage of people who think Bush is doing a good job. Coincidence, I think not!

[sigotratando]

That is the problem with you liberals. After four years of war you still cant even figure out what we are fighting for... What is at stake in Iraq could not be more clear. We either succeed in which case the USA will be much more safe and Al Queda will be defeated and on the run.
Posted by bobmarisol at 01:54 PM

Interesting that you say it is a "problem with [the] liberals", presuming that non-liberals (conservatives?) do not have a problem with it. You see, the difficulty in what you say could not be "more clear" is that the reasons for going into Iraq have changed several times, and it is only "clear" to those with a tendency toward cognitive dissonance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance)

[abbe91]

With the news that we are winning (... more BS...)
Posted by trapbreak at 01:00 PM : Mar 14, 2008

Look at the picture ...
Deadly Bus Bombing In Iraq

Eight U.S. soldiers were killed in separate attacks in Iraq, the worst one-day death toll for coalition troops in months.

[abbe91]

"The more apt question wld be: is there any difference between strategic pull-out & choosing not to fight. The answer wld entail a mature sense of responsibility.

Posted by sigotratando at 12:41 PM : Mar 14, 2008"

If Bush Sr had pulled out before the job was done ... sigh ...

[Latrocinor]

served 20 years

Posted by nokoolaid
-----------------
Prove it. I think you are lying.
Posted by bhoogren

See, here''''s the rub boohoo - nobody gives a flip what you think. How do I "prove it" ... scan my retirement papers and mail them to you? Here''''s one, prove to me you have more than a grade school eduaction - prove to me that you aren''''t a pinhead''''s love child - prove to me that your loss of brain cells isn''''t a result of sniffing too much glue. You''''re the first one on here to lob insults, but never, not once, back up your asinine diatribes with facts. Not once.

Posted by nokoolaid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fact is you came after me and in your FIRST post to me called me a liar along with a diatribe that reflected unprofessional and emotional prejudice.

In toying with you a bit it was interesting to observe the level of egocentric immaturity and lack of introspection you demonstrated.

Most entertaining to see your insulting, aggressive and presumptive responses as you chided me for merely sending back a toned down version of what you sent me in the first place.

"Enlisted men are stupid, but extremely cunning and sly, and bear considerable watching." - Army Officer''s Guide 1894

[mbcsmith]

4th ATAF - M/Sgt


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by nokoolaid at 01:59 PM : Mar 14, 2008


thank you. Any military men out there got a comment?

[mbcsmith]

Posted by nokoolaid at 01:55 PM : Mar 14, 2008

How about unit and rank.

[bobmarisol]

I find this story hard to believe. Everybody I know is against the war in Iraq and would like our troops to come home now. Who the pollsters asked would be interesting to know, all far-right Repubs perhaps?
This cultural/religious war really started going badly when the U.S. invaded Iraq will have no winners.
If we win, what do we win, and if we lose, what do we lose? Makes no sense to me. Many deaths on both sides and a cost of $2.4+ billion a week.
If we were to win the war in Iraq would that make al Qaeda go away? No. Make sense to you?

Posted by tibu987 at 01:41 PM
-----------------------------

That is the problem with you liberals. After four years of war you still cant even figure out what we are fighting for. Liberals dont understand that losing in Iraq means Al Queda has a safe haven from which to plan more 9/11 style attacks. Liberals dont understand that winning in Iraq means we establish a bellweather of freedom and prosperity in the Middle East that will inspire millions of Arabs to pursue their own freedom rather than to turn to violence and hopelessness.

Liberals ask what we are fighting for. I ask how can they not know? What is at stake in Iraq could not be more clear. We either succeed in which case the USA will be much more safe and Al Queda will be defeated and on the run, or else we surrender in which case the USA will be in grave danger and Al Queda will be free to plan evil attacks against us that will take countless innocent American lives.

[tibu987]

I find this story that most Americans support the "war" in Iraq, hard to believe. Everybody I know is against the "war" in Iraq and would like our troops to come home now. Who the pollsters asked would be interesting to know, all far-right Republicans perhaps?
I take these polls with a bit of incredulity.
This civil/cultural/religious war that really started going badly when the U.S. invaded Iraq will have no winners.
Ask yourself, if we win, what do we win, and if we lose, what do we lose?
Makes no sense to me.
Many deaths on both sides and a cost of $2.4+ billion dollars a week.
If we were to "win" the "war" in Iraq would that make al Qaeda go away? No.
Make sense to you?

[mbcsmith]

LIBS JUST DON''T GET IT!

[yankeerebel7]

We''ll win in the end. Hope and optimism over pessimism and naysaying any day.

[mortok99]

That "ideology of surrender" was a domestic policy. Instead of a corporate bagman policy.

[bobmarisol]

Violence in Iraq has dropped at least 60% in the last 12 months. Tribal leaders that once fought alongside Al Queda are now fighting alongside the USA against Al Queda. Political progress has been made, including the passage of a major oil revenue sharing law that will unite the three major factions in Iraq. Schools have been built, infrastructure has been updated and improved, and millions of Iraqis now have electricity and running water.

With all this good news, is it any wonder that the American people are coming back around and are now supporting the war? Too bad the Democrats still want to secure defeat. The Democrats know that success in Iraq will be the downfall of their party and their ideology of surrender.

[mortok99]

Pull out? Any way ya want to. Doesn''t matter.

[mortok99]

America will lose this war.

[adarkstorm]

With the news that we are winning and the government of Iraq is slowly taking over the country and the Al Quada are losing in Iraq,Posted by trapbreak --------

That is pathetically amusing. Winning,what a concept. Oh sorry, pipe dream. I guess that concept is what has led to the following path;
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/news-desk/20
08/3/11/6-signs-the-us-may-be-headed-for
-war-in-iran.html
Is the United States moving toward military action with Iran? The resignation of the top U.S. military commander for the Middle East is setting off alarms that the Bush administration is intent on using military force to stop Iran''''s moves toward gaining nuclear weapons... Here are six developments that may have Iran as a common thread.
1. [Admiral] Fallon''''s resignation
2. Vice President Cheney''''s peace trip
3. Israeli airstrike on Syria
4. Warships off Lebanon
5. Israeli comments
6.Israel''''s war with Hezbollah
How much more war can this country support. This question is not amoral, but a financial one. Next, who better to take control and properly handle the situation of finances, current war and impending war.

[mortok99]

So.. no thank you, Mr. Macho. I appreciate your concern, but I''ll have to turn down your offer.

[mortok99]

I don''t need any protection. I got my poodle to protect me..