Reuters: Iraq war leaves Americans skeptical of force: poll (72% v. 20%)

[RSchewe]

class="excerpt"]Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:52 PM ET

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The war in Iraq has left Americans skeptical about the use of military force as a tool to spread democracy, according to a poll released on Thursday.

Seventy-two percent of those questioned said the conflict has made them feel worse about the use of military force "to bring about democracy" down the road, compared to only 20 percent who said it made them feel better about such a prospect, the survey found.

It also found that nearly three of every four Americans believe overthrowing Iraq's government and trying to establish a democracy in its place was not a good enough reason to go to war there. The survey did not address the question of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

"Most Americans do not appear to have been persuaded by President George W. Bush's ... argument that promoting democracy is a critical means for fighting terrorism and making the world safer," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, a research group affiliated with the University of Maryland.

His group produced the poll in conjunction with the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. It involved 808 people who were interviewed from September 15 to 21 and had an error margin of plus or minus 3.5 to 4 percentage points.

The poll also found that 64 percent were now ready to accept an Iraqi constitution that does not fully meet democratic standards.

If Iraqis vote to approve a new constitution in a coming referendum, the United States should assume that the implementation of democracy has been achieved and begin withdrawing troops, 57 percent of those questioned said.

[expatriot]

1. America: LISTEN TO LIBERALS NEXT TIME!

Better yet, become one.

[seabeyond]

2. mis statement

"Most Americans do not appear to have been persuaded by President George W. Bush's ... argument that promoting democracy is a critical means for fighting terrorism and making the world safer," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, a research group affiliated with the University of Maryland.


promoting democracy is a critical means for fighting terrorism and making the world safer,"

this is not what the poll said. i dont think people have problems promoting democracy is good to combat terrorism. i think what the people concluded is fighting doesnt promote democracy

[Benhurst]

3. Good. Now take the next step quit funding a grotesquely

bloated and corrupt "Defense" Department.

[Johonny]

4. Wasn't this not the reason

"overthrowing Iraq's government and trying to establish a democracy in its place was not a good enough reason to go to war there."

We went there because of weapons of mass destruction and the clear and present danger Iraq represented. The establishing democracy crap came later after the first few fantasies proved to be false. The question should be asked if the president lies to you about why we are at war, how many times does he change the reason before you figure out he's a lieing scumbag?

[Opusnone]

5. Too little, too late

"64 percent were now ready to accept an Iraqi constitution that does not fully meet democratic standards"
It's a good thing the Iraqis get to decide for themselves. What a clusterf@&%