Democrats have the nation's support on Iraq

The Democrats have secured a clear majority of public support for their position on Iraq. This is before today's horrific bombings which have left at least another 178 dead. I am glad to see that America has decided we need to get out of Iraq, and hope this will embolden the Democrats to stand strong. I especially hope that they will continually resubmit bills (as 61% of Americans support) even if multiple vetoes result. The exact poll results are in the article, but 61% favor either resubmitting bills, or cutting off funding altogether. Apparently Bush's attempts to paint the Democrats as abandoning the troops and surrendering has not connected with nearly 2\3 of the country.

John McCain is right that the Commander in Chief must make decisions based upon what is right and not necessarily what momentary opinion polls say. However, a war cannot be conducted when nearly 2\3 of the country does not support it. Americans are paying, and dying, for this war. The President needs their support to fight on, and he has lost it. This is not one poll, like McCain tries to brush it off as, but rather a trend of mounting opposition to the war. This problem will not go away, Americans are not going to suddenly shift course. My guess is that support for the President's handling and proposed future of the war will continue to wane while Democrats will continue to garner support. A war cannot be successful if 2\3 of the nation fighting it are opposed. Further, with that level of dissatisfaction, we are hurting our armed forces by reducing recruits. It is not surprising that fewer people are willing to join the military when, unlike in the past, they are not seeing the decision as defending our nation but as risking their lives to fight a war they do not support.

On a lighter side note the poll had the surprising aspect of having exactly 37% with Bush and in favor of the the war on pretty much all questions with regards to the funding bill and fighting on. By contrast 61% are with the Democrats and in favor of restrictions with the funding bill. This amuses me some what in that unlike in most polls lessening the indictment of the action being taken or modifiying the question results in people wavering or switching sides. By contrast in this poll exactly 61% and 37% are the numbers on almost all questions. Apparently 98% of America has firmly made up their minds on this issue....and the other 2%, not so much.

Madison