http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16720627/site/newsweek/
Dirge for a ‘Surge’
In the latest NEWSWEEK poll Bush’s approval rating remains at its
all-time low as his plan to increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq
is met with widespread disapproval.
WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Brian Braiker
Newsweek
Jan. 20, 2007 -
When President George W. Bush declared earlier this month that the
only way to quell sectarian violence in Iraq was to send more than
20,000 additional American troops, he probably knew the move would be
unpopular.
Indeed, the latest NEWSWEEK poll finds that Bush’s call for a “surge”
in troops is opposed by two-thirds (68 percent) of Americans and
supported by only a quarter (26 percent).
Almost half of all respondents (46 percent) want to see American
troops pulled out “as soon as possible.”
Bush’s Iraq plan isn’t doing anything for his personal approval rating
either; it’s again stuck at its lowest point in the history of the
poll (31 percent).
Meanwhile, the new Democratic-controlled Congress is getting
relatively high marks.
And 55 percent actually trust Congressional Dems on U.S. policy in
Iraq, far more than the 32 percent who trust their commander in chief.
While Democrats and Republicans have roundly criticized Bush’s
proposal, the president—who received his lowest ratings so far for his
handling of the war (24 percent) and terrorism (41 percent)—told a
group of U.S. television stations this week that "I believe it will
work.”
He is in the minority.
Nearly half of all respondents to the NEWSWEEK poll (45 percent) say
they “strongly oppose” the plan.
Nine in 10 Democrats (92 percent), 70 percent of independents and
close to a third (31 percent) of Republicans disapprove.
Specifically, majorities of respondents expressed doubt that the
proposal will reduce violence in Baghdad (53 percent) or buy enough
time for sectarian groups to hammer out a settlement (59 percent).
In fact, more than two-thirds (67 percent) think it is either “very”
or “somewhat” likely to lead to more U.S. casualties in Iraq without
getting the U.S. closer to its goals there.
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Bush and Republicans still in the toilet. Time to flush.
Harry
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