Americans Slowly Waking Up to Horrors and Costs of War in
Iraq
Commentary
~ December 20, 2004: Americans are slowly realizing that Bush’s
war in Iraq was a huge mistake, and that Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld, the chief architect of that conflict, should be fired.
A Washington Post-ABC News survey revealed that 56
percent of the country now believes the cost of the conflict in
Iraq outweighs the benefits. The Washington Post points
out that this is the first time since the war began that a clear
majority of Americans have judged the war to have been a mistake.
A 54 percent majority of Americans say they doubt
the elections in Iraq next month will be honest and the votes counted
accurately. In other words, they are expecting an American-style
election.
Barely a third of Americans thinks Rumsfeld is doing
a good job as defense secretary. More than half feel he should be
sacked.
Relatives of deceased soldiers, and many congressional
leaders, are outraged that Rumsfeld could not even find the time
to sign letters to the families of those soldiers who paid the ultimate
price for Bush’s war in Iraq. Instead of actually signing
the correspondence of condolence, Rumsfeld used a machine to stamp
his signature on more than 1,000 letters. Their anger is justified:
their kids gave their lives while the defense secretary could not
even come up with less than a minute per letter to sign his name.
Bush, predictably, resisting the tide of discontent
against Rumsfeld, obstinately defended his Secretary, saying he
was doing "a really fine job" and would stay on despite
mounting criticism.
Despite the incessant arrival of body bags and broken
bodies that are airlifted back to U.S. soil. nearly six in 10 --
58 percent -- said the United States should keep its military forces
in Iraq rather than withdraw them. This is mind-boggling.
And speaking of mind-boggling: Bush's overall job
approval remains at 48 percent while 49 percent disapprove of his
performance as president. But the good news is that Americans are
slowly waking up. One year ago Bush’s approval was at 59 percent,
while two years ago it was at 66 percent. In other words, comparisons
to past year-end polls underscore the difficulties confronting Bush
in his second term. According to ABC, Bush’s approval rating
is 11 points lower than a year ago, and 18 points lower than two
years ago. His rating on terrorism is 17 points lower than at this
time last year, and there's been a 17-point drop in the number of
Americans who say the Iraq war was worth fighting, and a 10-point
rise in the number who call U.S. casualties "unacceptable."
Americans at the extremes of opinions have also been
changing their minds. Only 27 percent approve "strongly"
of Bush’s performance -- the fewest since September 11, 2001
-- while more, 38 percent, strongly disapprove.
Commentary
~ December 20, 2004: Americans are slowly realizing that Bush’s
war in Iraq was a huge mistake, and that Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld, the chief architect of that conflict, should be fired.
