Iraq Continues to Frame Elections

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"A substantial majority of Americans expect Democrats to reduce or end American military involvement in Iraq if they seize control of Congress next Tuesday, and say that Republicans would maintain -- or increase -- troop levels to try to win the war," according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

"The poll found that just 29% of Americans approve of the way President Bush is managing the war in Iraq, matching the lowest mark of his presidency. Nearly 70% of Americans said Mr. Bush did not have a plan to end the war, and 80% said Mr. Bush’s latest offensive to rally public support for the conflict amounted to a change in language but not policy."

"The poll underlined the extent to which the war in Iraq has framed the midterm elections. It comes at a time when Democratic challengers across the country are running a final sweep of television advertisements attacking Mr. Bush’s handling of the war and as even some Republican incumbents -- fearful of being swept out of office because of public opposition to the war -- have become critical of it."

In the generic congressional ballot, Democrats lead Republicans by a stunning 19 points, 53% to 33%.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/11/01/iraq_continues_to_frame_elections.html

Poll Shows Iraq War Is Voters' Main Concern
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/us/politics/01cnd-poll.html?hp&ex=1162443600&en=0cdefaa419235dd3&ei=5059&partner=AOL