Americans support Bush on Iraq, skeptical on economy: poll

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030813/pl_afp/us_iraq_bush_poll&cid=1521&ncid=1480

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Most Americans continue to support President George W. Bush's war in Iraq, despite a drop in enthusiasm for the campaign after major combat in Iraq was declared over.

However the Washington Post survey, publicized Wednesday, showed much less support for Bush on domestic issues, notably the economy and the ballooning budget deficit.

A clear majority, or 56 percent, of those polled approved of the way Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, and six in 10 said the war was worth fighting.

But Democrats were divided over the US presence in Iraq, with 56 percent supporting a continuation of troop strength there and 39 percent disapproving -- 29 percent strongly disapproving, the paper said.

On the domestic front, only 45 percent of the sample said they approved the way Bush is handling the economy, and only 41 percent approved his handling of the federal budget.

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[vi5]

1. 56% is a "clear majority"?

I'm not sure whose definition they are using on that one, but in a poll with a reasonable margin of error, 56% doesn't strike me as a "clear majority".

Maybe I'm wrong though.

[diplomats]

2. And his overall approval rating is 59 percent

higher than his ratings on Iraq (although not by much) and his ratings on the economy. I hope his overall rating drops more in line with his rating on the economy as the election approaches. BTW, his ABC/Wash. Post numbers tend to be 4 or 5 points higher than most other polls if you check www.pollkatz.com

[SeattleDem]

12. 56% is both a clear majority and an indication that Democrats

are divided!

that's what is funny. Read what is posted again. In the one sentence, 56% is a 'clear majority' but in the next sentence, when 56% of Democrats favor keeping troops in Iraq, the Democrats are "divided".

Hmmm, how can the exact same percentage mean two totally different things?

[primavera]

3. WTF? Are people just not paying attention?

I just don't get the American public. Everyday new evidence comes to light confirming that the shrub was lying his ass off throughout his promotion of the Iraq piracy, yet 60% of respondents still think it was a worthwhile venture? Since all of the reasons the shrub offered up justifying the piracy against Iraq have been thoroughly discredited, what justifications do the American public perceive for violating the sovereignty of another state? I swear, I will never understand Americans' thinking... :grr:

[havocmom]

4. Clear and present danger

The general population sees the economy. Their view of the invasion and occupation of Iraq is thru the cameralens ofFair and Balanced News. There is no way most Americans know just how bad things are... yet.

Just a plug: CSPAN has military families on giving a press conference. The families are being pretty blunt. Not the sort of thing anyone will ever see on FAUX.

edit: typo I go get coffee now

[Poiuyt]

5. Nobody reads the news

60% of the public think Iraq was a worthwhile venture because most Americans still believe that Saddam Hussein was behind the 9/11 attacks. You've got to admit...Bush/Rove have done a masterful job at public relations.

Sometimes I want to slap the American public across the face and say, "READ A NEWSPAPER!!!"

[MaineDem]

7. It just blows my mind

If people aren't outraged then they aren't paying attention.

[dfong63]

11. look at the data

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/vault/stories/data081203.htm">data for washington post poll

the data breaks down those who "approve" of bush's job overall, into those who "strongly approve" and "somewhat approve". the latter category is large. that suggests that a lot of people outside the hard-core, could swing the other way.

i think this is a meaningful way to break down the data. unf the other questions didn't use the same technique, so presumably they are lumping together the hard-core bush lovers with the "somewhats".

[bluedog]

6. waaaaah..I'm never polled

these polls are blown up facts.....


"The nationwide poll conducted among 1,003 randomly selected adults on August 7-11 had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

I.m a ramdom adult.....never been polled...must be they catch the republicans at home at lot....

[samsingh]

8. 56% clear majority is a not at all clear

most of these 56% probably don't even know the facts. They need to find out. we need to make them understand what is really happening.

[Nashyra]

9. These polls are being used to dupe the public

so when the asshole steals the vote in 2004 people will not question the voting machines, they will simply point out the "the polls" has him ahead.

[primavera]

10. I must say, I'd love to see the methodology

I have the feeling that these polls have to be push polls with questions along the lines of: "Which would you prefer, George Bush as president or watching your entire family being eaten alive by rats?" Hooray! Yet another ringing endorsement for our beloved Führer!

[underpants]

13. Numbers are inflated by the "war"

Those who said we should go back to the UN before starting the war was about 65% and then W&Co. ignored that and went alone anyway and about 65% then supported it. Most people don't want to be "against" a President (any Prez) in a time of war. That's okay there is a lot of time left and the numbers will come down.

[Old and In the Way]

16. Ding Ding Ding

We have a winner here.....eggzactly.

Whoever controls the polls controls the American people.

[booksenkatz]

14. Can't they see the connection?

One of the big reasons our economy is in the toilet is because of the goddamn war! In Kindergarten terms: billions and billions and billions spent for this war means you don't get as many state and city services. It may even mean (as in my case) that your job gets eliminated.

THERE'S A CONNECTION!!!

[Q]

15. Everything about the 'war' is a goddamn secret...

...and the people are kept in the dark about what's really going on.

- Just like Vietnam.