U.S. Has Little Faith in Bush, Democrats on Iraq

Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

January 17, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public confidence in the way George W. Bush is handling the coalition effort increased slightly in the United States after his recent address to the nation, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 29 per cent of respondents think their president has a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq.

When asked if the Democrats in Congress have a defined strategy for Iraq, only 21 per cent of respondents believe they do, down four points in a week.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,024 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 22,800 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Jan. 10, Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which includes an increase in U.S. troop levels. In an interview broadcast on CBS on Jan. 14, Bush discussed the possibility of opposition to his plan in Congress, saying, "I fully understand that they could try to stop me from doing it. But I’ve made my decision. And we’re going forward."

Yesterday, Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the situation, declaring, "We’re saying to the president, ‘What you are doing first and foremost has now cost over 3,000 lives, the cost in reputation in the world in order to get the job done.’ Our troops are being overused in Iraq. (...) Neither of us should abuse our powers. But we in Congress will hold the president accountable."

Polling Data

Do you think George W. Bush does—or does not—have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq?

	Jan. 14	Jan. 7
Yes, does	29%	25%
No, does not	69%	72%
No opinion	2%	3%

Do you think the Democrats in Congress do—or do not—have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq?

	Jan. 14	Jan. 7
Yes, do	21%	25%
No, do not	75%	66%
No opinion	4%	9%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,004 American adults, conducted from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.