Support for Iraq conflict erodes: poll

Sun Apr 11, 3:38 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US support for the conflict in Iraq is eroding, according to the latest CNN/Time survey, which found, amid a new Iraqi insurgency against US troops, that 57 percent of Americans think US military goals will fail unless a tougher stance is taken.

Approval of US President George W. Bush ( news -web sites ) and his administration's handling of Iraq was down to 44 percent of Americans, according to the poll, new elements of which were released Sunday, down from 51 percent surveyed March 26-28.

Meanwhile, Bush's overall approval rating had sunk to a record low of 49 percent since CNN/Time started polling the earliest days of the Bush presidency in 2001.

Surveyed after insurgents backing rebel Shiite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr launched their onslaught against the US-led occupation last weekend, 57 percent said more intense US military efforts were needed to combat the rebels' action.

But some 36 percent said the recent attacks showed the United States, due to hand over power to Iraqis on June 30, is unlikely to achieve its goals in Iraq and needs to begin reducing its military efforts there.

A majority say the United States should hand power to the Iraqis on June 30 -- a date Bush says is "fixed" -- while 38 percent think it should keep power beyond that date.

A hefty 87 percent of those surveyed believe that creating a stable democratic government in Iraq will be either somewhat or very difficult, according to the poll.

Just over half the respondents, or 51 percent, disapproved of the president's management of Iraq, according to the poll which was conducted April 8.

Overall, 47 percent said they disapproved of the way Bush is handling his job as president.

However, public perception of Bush as a strong fighter of terrorism remained robust, a majority of 55 percent backed Bush in this regard against 39 percent who disapproved.

On the economy -- which consistently ranks amongst the public's highest concerns -- a minority of 41 percent expressed satisfation with Bush while 54 percent disapproved of his economic management of the country.

The telephone poll canvassed 1,005 adults. The margin of error was three percent.



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