| Survey of 1,000 Likely Voters April 12-13, 2004 |
58% Say U.S. Will Succeed in Iraq Voters Split as to Whether Nation is Safer Since 9/11 |
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April 14, 2004--In
a survey largely completed before President Bush's Prime Time Press
Conference Tuesday night, 58% of American voters said it is somewhat or very
likely that the U.S. mission in Iraq will ultimately be successful. A
Rasmussen Reports survey found that 39% disagree and say that the mission is
not likely to succeed. Republicans, by an 80% to 17% margin, say success is likely. Democrats, by a 56% to 41% margin, say success is NOT likely. Those not affiliated with either party are more evenly divided--53% say success is likely while 44% say it is not. Again, it is important to remember that this reflects opinion before the President's Press Conference last night. Rasmussen Reports will continue to track this and related questions over the next few nights to measure the impact of the Press Conference. More current data is now available. The survey confirmed a mountain of other data showing that confidence in the War on Terror and the situation in Iraq have declined since the recent increase in violence. Just 41% now believe the United States is safer than it was before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That's down from 45% a month ago. The number who disagree with that perspective has increased from 36% to 42%. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Republicans say the country is safer, a view shared by just 20% of Democrats. Republicans, by a 66% to 40% margin, say the most effective approach to the War on Terror is to let terrorists know we will fight back aggressively. Democrats, by a 69% to 22% margin, say the best approach is working with other nations to find an international solution. There is a huge gender gap on this question, as well. Overall, the nation is evenly divided between these two divergent approaches.
As for one of the prime targets for the War on Terror, 34% believe that Osama bin Laden will be captured or killed in the next few months. That's down from 40% a month ago. Forty percent (40%) disagree and say he will not be caught while 26% are not sure. As part of the most comprehensive Election 2004 polling service, issues frequent updates on issues that may impact the election. Additionally, the Rasmussen Reports Presidential Election Tracking Poll is updated daily by noon along with job approval ratings and other information. The national telephone survey of 1,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports April 12-13, 2004. The margin of sampling error sample is +/- 3 percentage points, with a 95% level of confidence. |
Presidential Tracking Poll--Updated Daily |
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