US President Bush not successful: Poll

Most Americans are critical of the Bush administration's efforts for the wounded soldiers returning from the Iraq War,a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds

Archive
20 Eylül 2018 Perşembe 18:16

After a week of Congressional hearings investigating reports of shoddytreatment of veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center,most Americans are critical of the Bush administration's efforts for thewounded soldiers returning from the Iraq War, a new CBS News/New York Timespoll finds.

Three out of four — 76 percent of — Americans do not think the Bushadministration has done enough to care for these veterans.

A majority of Republicans agree with all Americans overall on this issue.

Monday, the Army forced its surgeon general, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, toretire, officials said, making him the third high-level official to lose hisjob over poor outpatient treatment of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

HAS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION DONE ENOUGH FOR IRAQ WAR VETS?

Yes 17 percent

No 76 percent

Fewer Americans are leery of putting more American troops in harm's way bysending additional troops to Iraq.

Though 59 percent of Americans still oppose President Bush's recent decisionto send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq, 36 percent now favor thatdecision — a slight increase from last month and a rise of 7 points sinceJanuary.

SENDING MORE THAN 20,000 ADDITIONAL TROOPS TO IRAQ

Now

Favor 36 percent

Oppose 59 percent

February 2007

Favor 33 percent

Oppose 63 percent

January 2007

Favor 29 percent

Oppose 66 percent

Instead, most Americans — 56 percent — favor decreasing or removing thenumber of U.S. troops in Iraq.

Seventeen percent of Americans think current U.S.troop levels in Iraqshould be maintained, while 22 percent think more troops should be added.

Assessing The War

As the Iraq War enters its fifth year, optimism about the prospects for asuccessful resolution is now at its lowest level so far.

Only one in 10 Americans believe the United States is very likely tosucceed in Iraq.

Thirty-four percent of Americans think success is somewhat likely, but morethan half — 53 percent — believe the prospect for success in Iraq is notvery or not at all likely.

WILL THE U.S.SUCCEED IN IRAQ?

Now

Very Likely 11 percent

Somewhat likely 34 percent

Not very/at all likely 53 percent

February 2007

Very likely 13 percent

Somewhat likely 37 percent

Not very/at all likely 47 percent

March 2006

Very likely 15 percent

Somewhat likely 36 percent

Not very/at all likely 47 percent

There has been a drop even among Republicans when it comes to optimism aboutthe war's outcome.

Nineteen percent of Republicans think success in Iraq is very likely — down 10points from last month.

A majority of Republicans continue to believe success in Iraq is atleast somewhat likely. Democrats and independents disagree.

Just 29 percent of Americans think the war is going even somewhat well forthe United States,though this is up slightly from last month's assessment.

Rather than engage in a military conflict with Iran over Iraq,Americans seem more inclined to look to Iranfor help in providing stability to Iraq.

A slight majority of Americans — 51 percent — believe the United States should request the support of Iraq's neighbors in the Middle East, such as Iran and Syria,even if the governments in those countries have been unfriendly or hostile tothe United Statesin the past.

SHOULD THE U.S.REQUEST THE SUPPORT OF IRANAND SYRIA?

Now

Yes 51 percent

No 40 percent

February 2007

Yes 46 percent

No 46 percent

December 2006

Yes 51 percent

No 40 percent

Looking back, most Americans think the U.S.should have stayed out of Iraqin the first place.

Just 39% of Americans think the U.S.did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, while 56%believe it should have stayed out.