The public's baseline judgment on the war is little changed -- more than six in 10 said the war is not worth fighting, a sentiment that has been a majority view for nearly three years.
But though the public assessment of progress in Iraq remains largely negative, most expected Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, to express a rosier view when he begins his congressional testimony tomorrow. Only about four in 10 said they expect the general to give an accurate accounting of the situation in Iraq. A majority, 53 percent, said they think his report will try to make the situation in Iraq look better than it really is.
As on many issues involving Iraq, Democrats and Republicans have decidedly divergent views, with independents largely tilting toward the Democratic vantage point. Just 23 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of independents expected an honest depiction of conditions in Iraq. By contrast, two-thirds of Republicans anticipated a straightforward accounting.
I found that two-thirds number hard to take, perhaps the Republicans asked were being hopeful. It would be interesting to track the very same 1,002 adults who were polled and see how they feel once the testimony has been completed.
8 comments:
I think that if it was just Petraeus giving it with no one seeing it first, I would believe it a little more. Unfortunately even good meaning generals like Petraeus and Powell like to make their bosses happy. I think he should just come out and say that Iraq is screwed up, he thinks it is less screwed up then it was this time last year, and he would like to give it a real shot to make it work.
Petraeus is like Colin Powell was, another lapdog who wants to be in the Bush clique.
The model may be impressive clever, funny and smart, but the ventriloquist's hand is always up its back. What he was going to say was determined long ago.....
Petraeus like Powell, is just another successor in the line of good people who have been dragged thru the crapper while serving under GWB.
I am amazed that on a blog named "Common Sense" you are abandoning the same. Before he even opened his mouth to speak, an honorable and respectable man who has not one shread of impropriety to his name was being smeared by Bush's political opponents. The poll only shows what percentage of Americans believe Harry Reid.
Ask yourself who among those speaking loudly on this issue are being intellectually honest? It isn't Congress. If you choose the people you believe based on who gets airtime on CNN, then you have a long way to go in getting to the truth. Please don't set aside your common sense because of your emotional response to a situation. You hate Bush? Fine. But don't tell lies about General Petraeus' report based on your sorrow that Al Gore isn't president.
Echo, I'd suggest you read the Washington Post article on the poll, it had nothing to do with Harry Reid, and this was posted before the media brouhaha over the Move on ad. I did not express my opinion on that but if you are interested, I believe it was not a smart move by Move On as it detracts from the real issues.
Republicans and Democrats alike had serious questions for Petraeus that should have remained what is focused on and dealt with. While I do lean left on many issues and consider myself a classical liberal, that does not mean I support all of the actions of those on the left.
Lisa,
I appreciate your thoughtful and respectful response. My comments, which I could have more carefully crafted, were more towards the other commenters, than your post. I take no issue with your post, which simply told of poll results. Those with a knee-jerk comment would do well to put more thought into the "whys" and "wherefores" of what the poll numbers really say. If they did, there could be a lot more civil discussion of how to proceed in this situation.
Thank you. I will be back for more.
Echo, I agree thoughtful discussion is important and I also think we can't always rely on polls. Whether they support or don't support our own personal decisions at times the small number taken despite the science claimed does really only reflect the opinions of those asked and to me are only valid as a discussion point.
I look forward to future discussions with you.
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