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Poll: U.S. public endorses Clinton's actions on IraqWASHINGTON (AllPolitics) -- The American public has delivered strong support for President Bill Clinton's decision to attack Iraq in the face of Republican claims he was attempting to divert attention from impeachment proceedings against him. About three in four Americans support the assault launched on Iraq, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll taken Wednesday night. And only three out of ten people believe Clinton ordered the attack to divert attention from impeachment proceedings against him. Scheduled for Thursday, the proceedings have been delayed because of the Iraq crisis. A further 76 per cent expressed a "great deal" or "moderate amount" of confidence in Clinton's ability to handle the situation in Iraq. In a poll of 543 adults conducted after the White House announced the start of the missile attack, 74 percent said they approved of Clinton's order to launch the offensive. Thirteen percent disapproved. And in a sign of support for Clinton despite the impeachment proceedings, the number of people who believe he uses military strikes as a tactic of distraction is on the wane. Sixty-two percent of those polled Wednesday night said they believed there was no ulterior motive intended by the president. On August 20, a similar question was asked when the U.S. attacked Afghanistan and Sudan at the height of the Lewinsky controversy. At that time 58 percent of those polled said it was in the best interests of the nation. The poll has a 5 percent margin of error. CNN/USA Today/Gallup PollDecember 16, 1998 Interviews with 543 adult Americans conducted between 5:30 pm and 9 p.m. on December 16, 1998. All interviews were conducted after the White House announced that the attack on Iraq had been launched. As you may know, the United Nations chief weapons inspector has reported that Iraq has not complied with its agreement to allow United Nations inspections of possible weapons facilities. In response, the United States and Britain have launched an air attack against Iraq this evening. Do you approve or disapprove of this attack? Approve 74% Disapprove 13 How much confidence do you have in President Clinton's ability to handle the situation in Iraq -- a great deal, a moderate amount, only a little, or none at all. Great deal 52% Moderate amount 24 Only a little 10 None 12 Why do you, personally, think Bill Clinton ordered today's military strike -- solely because he felt it was in the best interests of the country or in part to divert public attention away from the impeachment proceedings? Yes 30% No 62 Do you think this attack will or will or will not achieve significant goals for the United States? Yes 48% No 32 Sampling error: +/-5%. |
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MORE STORIES:Thursday, December 17, 1998
• House Republicans rally 'round Livingston • Full text of Livingston statement • Clinton denies Iraq attack was a diversion • Impeachment and Iraq fill the president's time • U.S. public gives Iraq attack mixed reviews • Transcript: Clinton defends U.S. attack on Iraq • House passes resolution in support of U.S. troops • Poll: U.S. public endorses Clinton's actions on Iraq • Poll: Clinton gets thumbs up from American public • Hundreds head for Washington anti-impeachment vigil • Gore rallies support for Clinton • Livingston faces trial by fire • Russia may ask Lewinsky for help | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
