Monday, April 02, 2007

What Americans Want in Iraq   [Cliff May]

Some lefty blogs are evidently up in arms over my asking in this space yesterday whether there is hard evidence behind the now frequently heard talking point that most Americans voted in November for the U.S. to "get out" of Iraq.

Most of the many emails sent me this morning are of the You-Bush-loving-liar! ilk but some have included links to polls. So far, I'd say the evidence is inconclusive because of the way the questions have been asked – often by pollsters who may have their own agendas.

For example, if you ask someone whether he wants American troops out of Iraq within a year or two, the answer is likely to be "yes." Indeed, I would give that answer as well.

But at the point when American troops leave, I would like the U.S. to have completed the mission – to be leaving behind an elected Iraqi government that can defend itself and which will not be ruled by America's terrorist Islamist enemies.

What do you think the answer would be if Americans were asked whether they favor getting out of Iraq ASAP – even if doing so means the US would have to accept defeat, which would almost certainly lead to defeat in Afghanistan and, within a few years, the radicalization of Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt and other countries?

Maybe a majority would say: "Yes, do it anyway" but I haven't so far seen polls or other evidence to substantiate that. I'll be disappointed if I do.

04/02 11:20 AMShare