Americans Want Troops Out of Iraq Within A Year

No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.4/175 - Release Date: 11/18/2005

 

Americans Want Troops Out of Iraq Within A Year

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States believe an exit strategy should be implemented in Iraq soon, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 52 per cent of respondents believe all U.S. soldiers should withdraw from Iraq either immediately or over the next 12 months. Conversely, 38 per cent of respondents believe the troops should stay in Iraq for as long as they are needed, and seven per cent would deploy more soldiers. The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,083 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 15,500 troops have been injured. On Nov. 17, Democratic Pennsylvania congressman John Murtha—a Vietnam War veteran—introduced a bill seeking the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq "at the earliest practicable date," adding, "Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It’s time to bring them home."  Yesterday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan issued a statement, which read, "The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists. (...) We remain baffled—nowhere does (Murtha) explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer." Americans are divided in the likelihood of an eventual victory for coalition forces. 50 per cent of respondents think the U.S. cannot win the war in Iraq, while 46 per cent disagree. Polling Data Here are four different plans the U.S. could follow in dealing with the war in Iraq. Which one do you prefer: withdraw all troops from Iraq immediately, withdraw all troops by November 2006, withdraw troops, but take as many years to do this as are needed to turn control over to the Iraqis, or send more troops to Iraq? Withdraw immediately 19% Withdraw in 12 months 33% Withdraw, take as many years as needed 38% Send more troops 7% No opinion 3% Which comes closer to your view about the war in Iraq? The U.S. will definitely win the  war in Iraq, the U.S. will probably win the war in Iraq, the U.S. can win the war in Iraq, but you don’t think it will win, or you do not think the U.S. can win the war in Iraq? Definitely win 23% Probably win 23% Can win, but don’t think it will win 17% Do not think it can win 33% No opinion 4% Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,006 American adults, conducted from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13, 2005. Margin of error is 4 per cent.