PUBLIC OPINION REDUX: WaPo’s latest
PUBLIC OPINION REDUX: WaPo’s latest polls finds U.S. Public Support Remains Strong for War Effort despite expectations of significant casualties:
The survey found that 54 percent of the country now believes the United States and its allies will sustain “significant” casualties in the war, up from 37 percent on Thursday, the day after President Bush declared war on Iraq and allied forces launched a limited air strike on Baghdad
and
Many Americans also expect a somewhat longer war than they did just a few days ago. Nearly half-45 percent-now expect the war to last months rather than days or weeks, up from 37 percent on Thursday.
but
Yet these somber assessments have not yet diminished overall support for the war effort or fueled doubts about President Bush’s handling of the conflict.
More than seven in 10 Americans currently back the president’s decision to go to war, unchanged from the start of the campaign. Seven in 10-71 percent-approve of the way he is handling the situation in Iraq, up six percentage points from three days ago and higher than at any time in the past seven months. And Bush’s overall job approval rating was unchanged at 68 percent.
The survey found that eight in 10 Americans believe the campaign is going well, although only about a third said it was going “very well” for the United States. Even opponents acknowledged that the invasion seemed to be accomplishing its goals: 63 percent of those against the war also said it was going well for allied forces.
Excellent.
