Democratic Focus Group Finds More Anti-war Anger Among Swing Voters

Swing voters want Congress to stand up to President Bush more aggressively regarding Iraq, according to new focus groups sponsored by Democrats. Democratic polls also find that 60 per cent of Americans disagree with the president's policy in Iraq. "People are angry," says a Democratic insider who has access to the research. These findings, which are more anti-Bush and anti-Iraq war than some public surveys, help explain why Democratic leaders in the House and Senate seem so eager for a showdown with Bush over his "surge" of 21,500 troops and his overall war policy. "We have an opportunity now to position ourselves very well" for the 2008 election, a Democratic strategist tells U.S. News. "The Republicans are protecting Bush and blocking debate in the Senate. Bush's [job approval] numbers are very bad. They need to throw this guy overboard to save their party. We are doing what the voters want."

By Kenneth T. Walsh