Poll: Most Americans Say Overthrowing Saddam Not a Good Reason for War

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/9205

October 1, 2005
Overthrowing Hussein Not Enough for War, Say Americans

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States think the recent justification to launch the coalition effort in Iraq is insufficient, according to a poll by Knowledge Networks for the Program on International Policy Attitudes and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations. 74 per cent of respondents think that the goal of overthrowing Iraq’s authoritarian government and establishing a democracy was by itself not a good enough reason to go to war.

Pre-war speeches by U.S. president George W. Bush mentioned specific chemical agents, such as mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas as banned substances allegedly secured by Iraq. State secretary Colin Powell assured the United Nations (UN) Security Council in February 2003 that the Saddam Hussein regime possessed biological weapons.

The final report of the Iraq Survey Group—presented to the U.S. Congress on Sept. 30, 2004—concluded that Hussein’s regime did not possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and had not implemented a significant program for their development.

The coalition effort against 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.

In April 2004, Bush explained his rationale for military action, saying, "I was very clear about what I believed. And, of course, I want to know why we haven’t found a weapon yet. But I still know Saddam Hussein was a threat, and the world is better off without Saddam Hussein." 72 per cent of respondents say the experience in Iraq has made them feel worse about the possibility of using military force to bring about democracy in the future.

Polling Data

Do you think that the goal of overthrowing Iraq’s authoritarian government and establishing a democracy was by itself a good enough reason to go to war with Iraq?

Yes 19%
No 74%
No answer 7%

Has the experience in Iraq made you feel better or worse about the possibility of using military force to bring about democracy in the future?

Better 19%
Worse 72%
No answer 9%

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.