There seems to be great consternation among Dem leaders every time a high-profile Dem criticizes the war, but according to one new national poll, the public’s views aren’t terribly different from the party’s.
[A]lmost 60 percent of voters say the U.S. should withdraw its troops from Iraq, with 40 percent who say get out immediately, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Another 4 percent say get out in six months; 10 percent say get out in one year and 5 percent say get out in two to three years. Only 34 percent of voters oppose setting a deadline or immediate withdrawal.
The wording of the question is pretty important: “Do you support or oppose withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately? (If not immediately) Do you support or oppose setting a firm deadline for withdrawing American troops from Iraq? (If support deadline) When should U.S. troops be withdrawn from Iraq? In 6 months, in 1 year, in 2 years, or in 3 years?”
Given the phrasing, and the recent White House offensive against an “immediate withdrawal” and “artificial timetables,” I expected the results to lean in Bush’s favor, at least a little. But according to Quinnipiac, a plurality (40%) wants an immediate withdrawal, with another 14% supporting a deadline of no more than a year. Only a third of the country agrees with the president’s contention that there should be no timetable and no deadlines.
Does this mean we should expect a press release from the RNC condemning Americans for joining the cut-and-run caucus? For supporting “surrender to terrorists“? For embracing a strategy of “retreat and defeat“? It’s unlikely.
After all the rhetorical bromides and hand-wringing, the fact remains that the country isn’t nearly as enthusiastic about “stay the course” as the president and his political allies would like to believe.