- CNNTIME POLL: SUPPORT DROPPING FOR SENDING U.S. TROOPS
TO IRAQ
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- Support has fallen for sending U.S. ground troops to
Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein, according to a new TIME/CNN Poll. Only 51
percent of Americans are now in favor, from 70 percent in December, (Opposed
are 40% now, v. 22% in December.)
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- Most Americans (65%) agree with the Bush administration's
argument that the U.S. would be morally justified in invading Iraq to remove
Saddam from power (26% say it would be unjustified). But nearly half (49%)
say that action would lead to a long and costly war before the U.S. could
claim victory. One in seven (15%) believe the U.S. would eventually have
to withdraw from Iraq without a victory.
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- Large majorities say that military action in Iraq would
lead to higher oil prices (88%), greater instability in the Middle East
(74%), and an increased chance of terrorism in the U.S. (77%).
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- The President needs to get Congressional authorization
before taking action, most Americans (68%) believe (28% approve of using
force without authorization). Half (53%) don't think Bush is moving too
quickly to war with Iraq (40% believe he is).
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- Support for war with Iraq is lowest among senior citizens,
college graduates and low-income Americans. Liberals oppose military action
in Iraq (although they supported it in December. Moderates are split, leaving
only conservatives unquestionably in favor of sending troops to Iraq. Other
results:
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- * Bush Approval Rating Down: George Bush's approval rating
of 65% is the lowest it has been since before last Sept. 11 (the "high"
was 89% Oct. 12; it was 55% July 17-18, 2001 before jumping to 78% Sept.
13).
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- * Economy: For the first time since 1995 a majority (52%)
say the economy is in "poor" or "very poor" shape.
A thin majority (52%) say Bush is doing a good job on the economy.
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- * Colin Powell's "Favorable" Ratings Are the
Highest: Powell is the most popular Administration figure (rated favorably
by 78%), v. Bush (69%), Rumsfeld (51%) and Cheney (49%).
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- * Rudy Giuliani Very Popular: New York's former Mayor
(76%) is almost as popular as Powell.
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- The TIME/CNN Poll was conducted Aug. 28-29 among 1,004
adults.
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- Filed By Matt Drudge
- Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
- http://www.drudgereport.com for updates
- (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2002
- Not for reproduction without permission of the author
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