Most think US losing war on terrorism
Find a Conversation
| Sun, 09-28-2008 - 8:09pm |
Steven Thomma | McClatchy Newspapers
last updated: September 22, 2008 07:01:52 PM
WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans think the United States isn't winning the war on terrorism, a perception that could undermine a key Republican strength just as John McCain and Barack Obama head into their first debate Friday night, a clash over foreign policy and national security. A new Ipsos/McClatchy online poll finds a solid majority of 57 percent thinking that the country can win the war on terrorism but a similar majority of 54 percent saying that the country is NOT winning it.
The poll came just days before the two major-party candidates meet for the first of three debates, a 90-minute showdown Friday on foreign policy and national security at the University of Mississippi.
Jim Lehrer of PBS will moderate the debate between Republican McCain and Democrat Obama, which will be televised nationally starting at 9 pm EDT.
If Americans are turning more pessimistic about the so-called war on terrorism, it could present a challenge for McCain. Voters traditionally trust Republicans more than Democrats to handle terrorism and national security, but a loss of confidence in the results of the fighting so far could erode that edge.
Some people are more skeptical than others, including women, those aged 18 to 34, those with college degrees and people in the Northeast. The most optimistic: Southerners.
The survey also found that Americans think by 57-43 percent that Afghanistan is now a more important front in combating terrorists than Iraq is.
(rest at above URL)
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/52912.html
THE TERM WAR ON TERROR IS A CRIMINAL MISNOMER. WARS ARE DECLARED AGAINST OTHER COUNTRIES NOT AGAINST ABSTRACTIONS SUCH AS TERROR OR ISLAMOFASCISM. SO LONG AS THESE ABSTRACTIONS ARE CONSIDERED VALID POINTS FOR DISCUSSION THE WARS WILL CONTINUE AND THE DRAINING OF OUR COUNTRY'S MILITARY AND TREASURE. AS WILL THE LOSS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE IN PERPETUITY. SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS MEANS BRINGING THEM HOME NOW SO THEY CAN HAVE A LIFE AS OUR CONSTUTION SO MANDATES.
Edited 9/28/2008 8:14 pm ET by sistah_w
Edited 9/28/2008 8:15 pm ET by sistah_w
