Most Americans want troops out after Iraq referendum

I still firmly believe it would be the wrong thing to do...

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/9214

Most Americans Wants Troops Out After Iraq Referendum

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States believe their government should begin to implement an exit strategy following this month’s constitutional referendum in Iraq, according to a poll by Knowledge Networks for the Program on International Policy Attitudes and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. 57 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should assume the implementation of democracy is achieved and begin a process of withdrawing troops.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,936 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 14,300 troops have been injured.

Iraqis are set to ratify their new constitution in a nationwide referendum scheduled for Oct. 15. On Sept. 16, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the current state of affairs in Iraq, saying, "Clearly, Iraq is a struggling democracy. But one thing is for certain: the people have made their mind about what they want. They want democracy: 8.5 million Iraqis went to the polls, see, and they’ve got a constitution that’s been written. It wasn’t written under bayonet or under the barrel of a gun—it was written by people from different factions of the society that have come together."

On Sept. 29, senior U.S. ground commander George Casey testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, saying, "I do think that the possibility for condition-based reduction of coalition forces still exists in 2006. (...) Reducing the visibility and ultimately the presence of coalition forces as we transition to Iraqi security self-reliance remains a key element of our counter-insurgency strategy."

Polling Data

As you may know, in October Iraqis will vote on whether to accept or reject a new constitution in a referendum. If the referendum passes, should America:

Maintain current troop levels while working
to ensure the implementation of democracy
29%

Assume the implementation of democracy is
achieved and begin a process of withdrawing
troops
57%

No answer
14%



Source: Knowledge Networks / Program on International Policy Attitudes / The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Methodology: Online interviews to 808 American adults, conducted from Sept. 15 to Sept. 21, 2005. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.