more americans see progress in iraq

Americans See More Progress in Iraq, Poll Says http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200803/NAT20080303b.html By Randy HallCNSNews.com Staff Writer/EditorMarch 03, 2008(CNSNews.com) - The latest Pew Research Center poll shows that most Americans now believe the war in Iraq will succeed; that Republicans, Democrats and Independents all see signs of growing progress in the effort; and that only 14 percent of those polled want an immediate withdrawal from Iraq."Public perceptions of the situation in Iraq have become significantly more positive over the past several months, even as opinions about the initial decision to use military force remain mostly negative and unchanged," notes the survey, which was the result of 1,508 telephone interviews nationwide Feb. 20-24.The number of Americans who say the military effort is going very or fairly well is much higher now than a year ago (48 percent vs. 30 percent in February 2007). While the rise in the number of people who believe that the U.S. will ultimately succeed in Iraq is smaller, it now constitutes a majority (53 percent, up 5 points from a year ago).In addition, public perception of the progress in Iraq continues to improve. The poll showed an even split among those who believe the military effort is going well and those who don't (48-48). This is a significant boost from last February, when two-thirds of respondents said the effort was not going well (67-30).Also, 49 percent now say the United States is making progress in defeating insurgents, while just 35 percent say it is losing ground. And for the first time since fall 2006, a plurality (49 percent) believes the U.S.-led coalition is making advances in the key objective of establishing democracy in Iraq (compared to 40 percent who disagree).But not all results in the survey were positive. While more people now say the U.S. is making progress in preventing a civil war between various religious and ethnic groups (35 percent now vs. 18 percent a year ago), just under half say the United States is losing ground on this objective (49 percent vs. 68 percent a year ago). Views of the war continue to differ greatly by political affiliation, but all partisan groups have become more positive about the war. For example, far more Republicans now than in February 2007 see progress in defeating the insurgency (49 percent now vs. 30 percent then). This also is the case for Democrats and Independents. Also, more Democrats now than a year ago believe U.S. troops should remain in Iraq. Currently, 81 percent of Republicans favor keeping troops there, the highest percentage since the beginning of 2004.In another significant finding, the poll showed rapidly decreasing support for a quick withdrawal from Iraq.This past November, 13 percent more people wanted to "bring troops home" than preferred to "keep troops in Iraq" (54-41), but now, respondents split 49-47 percent on the issue.Just under half (47 percent) say that the U.S. should keep troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized, with most of these (30 percent) saying that no timetable should be set. Only 14 percent want an immediate withdrawal, while 33 percent want to keep troops in Iraq or bring them home gradually "over the next year or two.""Opinions are changing because the public is so much more positive about the course of events in Iraq," Andy Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center, said. "There's cause for optimism, they think."GOP presidential contender Sen. John McCain has long-supported the war in Iraq. In a statement on his Web site, he says: "Iraq is truly the test of a generation, for America and for our role in the world. ... Iraq's transformation into a secure democracy and a force for freedom in the greater Middle East is the calling of our age. We can succeed."