Americans want to win the war

NY Post:

In a dramatic finding, a new poll shows a solid majority of Americans still wants to win the war in Iraq - and keep U.S. troops there until the Baghdad government can take over.

Strong majorities also say victory is vital to the War on Terror and that Americans should support President Bush even if they have concerns about the way the war is being handled, according to the survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies.

The poll found that 57 percent of Americans supported "finishing the job in Iraq" - keeping U.S. troops there until the Iraqis can provide security on their own. Forty-one percent disagreed.

By 53 percent to 43 percent they also believe victory in Iraq over the insurgents is still possible.

Despite last November's electoral victories by anti-war Democrats, the survey found little support among voters for a quick pullout of U.S. forces.

Only 25 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement, "I don't really care what happens in Iraq after the U.S. leaves, I just want the troops brought home." Seventy-four percent disagreed.

...
I have long maintained that polling has omitted the critical question on the war in Iraq. "Do you want to lose the war in Iraq?" This poll indirectly answers that question and most people do not want to lose.

Polling firms have long mislead on issues like this with dissatisfaction surveys which conflate those who want to do more to win with those who want to quit. Similar polling errors were done in the Vietnam war after the Tet offensive. I suspect that polling firms do this becuase some have an anti war agenda. We are finally getting around to asking some honest questions about attitudes toward victory and it cannot be good news for those Democrats who are desperate for defeat.

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