Winning the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqis

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/28/06 at 8:35am

What fools we were to have believed George Bush and Donnie Rumsfeld. What muddle-headed, addle-pated fools we were:

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From the Program on International Policy Attitudes new poll on Iraqi public opinion:

71% of Iraqis Want US Out

A large majority of Iraqis–71%–say they would like the Iraqi government to ask for US-led forces to be withdrawn from Iraq within a year or less. Given four options, 37 percent take the position that they would like US-led forces withdrawn “within six months,” while another 34 percent opt for “gradually withdraw[ing] US-led forces according to a one-year timeline.”

61% of Iraqis Support Attacks Against US-Led Forces

Support for attacks against US-led forces has increased sharply to 61 percent (27% strongly, 34% somewhat). This represents a 14-point increase from January 2006, when only 47 percent of Iraqis supported attacks.

79% Think US Has Negative Influence

More broadly, 79 percent of Iraqis say that the US is having a negative influence on the situation in Iraq, with just 14 percent saying that it is having a positive influence.

Asked “If the US made a commitment to withdraw from Iraq according to a timeline, do you think this would strengthen the Iraqi government, weaken it, or have no effect either way?” 53 percent said that it would strengthen the government, while just 24 percent said it would weaken the government.

Asked what effect it would have “if US-led forces withdraw from Iraq in the next six months,” 58 percent overall say that violence would decrease (35% a lot, 23% a little).


New Poll: 71 Percent Of Iraqis Want U.S. Forces To Withdraw Within A Year

Updated On: 9/28/06 at 08:35 AM