Americans: Iraq War is Bad, General Petraeus is Good, Poll Says

The latest poll from the Gallup Organization shows that the American public may not like the war in Iraq, but they do have a favorable view of the recommendations made by Gen. David Petraeus. Most say that the General's plan, which the President has adopted, is either about right or is too aggressive in relation to the withdrawal of the troops and getting them home soon enough. Just about 33% think that a more rapid pullout is necessary.

Since the General gave his testimony before Congress on Sept 10, his image has risen to new levels. Previously, 52% gave him a favorability rating and now it is 61%. The people may look at him more favorably and view him as a good spokesman for the war, he has not done much to change the public's opinion on the war.

For instance, just 33% of Americans say that they are optimistic about the chances of winning the war and almost 66% say the United States will not win. These figures, which are from the latest poll take from Sept 14 to the 16 are virtually the same s the last poll which was taken on Sept 7 to 8, before his testimony before Congress.

The General' plan is to bring the U.S. surge forces out of Iraq gradually and by next summer, but is also says that any discussion of troop withdrawals after that are "premature. Even so, and in spite of the that he reports improvements in certain areas of security that are the result of the surge, most Americans do not agree and want a time table set to bring the troops home. For instance, there are just 38% of Americans who want to keep U.S. troops in Iraq until real progress is achieved. Back in the earlier survey, it was 35%.

Just under 33% agree that the surge is making things better. Previous figures on this issue were 22% in July, 31% in August and 32% in the early September poll. The number who thing the surge is working has been coming down with each one, in direct opposition to the General's position.

There is one thing that seen to be softening the negative views of the war and that is that most of the those 70% who want a time table, want the withdrawal to be gradual and not immediate while just 18% want all the troops out as soon as possible. There is 41% who favor setting a timetable for a gradual withdrawal and 38% who want to keep the troops in Iraq for as long as it takes. This is another set of figures that has not changed since the General's testimony.

When they asked about the General's long term goals for bringing the troops home and handing over control to the Iraqi forces, just 36% said that his plan calls for too few of the troops to be withdrawn while 43% said it is just right an 9% say it is too many.

While Americans may show support for the military side of the equation, it is just the opposite when talking about the political side. Just 25% say that the U.S. is doing enough to hole the Iraqi government responsible for the problems in their own country while 25% say the U.S. is doing enough and 71% say we are not doing enough.

When you give a good look at the figures, most think that going to Iraq was a mistake, are skeptical that the surge has been effective, think the war will be won and want a time table. While most of these are the direct opposite of what the General said, the people still hold him in high regard and support his long term plan. He just might have bought the war some more time, but that still remains to be seen. And with the fiscal year coming to an end, the decision of whether to authorize more funding must be made soon.

Source: The Gallup Organization http://www.galluppoll.com/