Apr 19, 2005

Warbloggers Agog about Iraqi Poll

by Liberty and Power

For some reason, Powerline is all agog about a survey of over 700 Baghdad residents. It is making the email rounds like greased lightning. In response to a question on if, and when, U.S. troops should leave, they answered:

At once = 12.56%

According to a future timetable= 81.80%

Do not know = 5.64%

John Hinderaker at Powerline were so overjoyed that he led with a headline,"Iraqis Thank U.S." Huh?

I don't understand what is new here. Polls have consistently indicated that the Iraqis want the U.S. want us to leave either now or soon.

In my experience, few opponents of the occupation believe that U.S. troops can, or should, leave"at once." I doubt that is even possible. Most do support a timetable, a position consistently opposed by the Bush administration. Since the first day U.S. troops set foot in Iraq, I have said that we should implement a rapid timetable for withdrawal.

It is noteworthy that the poll did not show any Iraqis who want the U.S. to stay permanently. Perhaps the questions were not asked properly.

It is true that the poll also reports the encouraging news that most of the respondents believe that the security situation has improved since the new government came into office but this result hardly justifies the headline"Iraqis Thank U.S."