| MATT DRUDGE // DRUDGE REPORT 2002� 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRIDAY AUGUST 30, 2002 16:00:00 ET XXXXX
 
 CNNTIME POLL: SUPPORT DROPPING FOR SENDING U.S. TROOPS TO IRAQ
 
 Support has fallen for sending U.S. ground troops to Iraq to oust 
Saddam Hussein, according to a new TIME/CNN Poll.  Only 51 percent of 
Americans are now in favor, from 70 percent in December,  (Opposed are 40% 
now, v. 22% in December.)
 
 Most Americans (65%) agree with the Bush administration's argument that the 
U.S. would be morally justified in invading Iraq to remove Saddam from power 
(26% say it would be unjustified).  But nearly half (49%) say that action 
would lead to a long and costly war before the U.S. could claim victory. One 
in seven (15%) believe the U.S. would eventually have to withdraw from Iraq 
without a victory.
 
 Large majorities say that military action in Iraq would lead to higher oil 
prices (88%), greater instability in the Middle East (74%), and an increased 
chance of terrorism in the U.S. (77%).
 
 The President needs to get Congressional authorization before taking action, 
most Americans (68%) believe (28% approve of using force without 
authorization).   Half (53%) don't think Bush is moving too quickly to war 
with Iraq (40% believe he is).
 
 Support for war with Iraq is lowest among senior citizens, college graduates 
and low-income Americans.  Liberals oppose military action in Iraq (although 
they supported it in December.  Moderates are split, leaving only 
conservatives unquestionably in favor of sending troops to Iraq.
Other results:
 
 * Bush Approval Rating Down:  George Bush's approval rating of 65% is the 
lowest it has been since before last Sept. 11 (the "high" was 89% Oct. 12; 
it was 55% July 17-18, 2001 before jumping to 78% Sept. 13).
 
 * Economy: For the first time since 1995 a majority (52%) say the economy is 
in "poor" or "very poor" shape.  A thin majority (52%) say Bush is doing a 
good job on the economy.
 
 * Colin Powell's "Favorable" Ratings Are the Highest:  Powell is the most 
popular Administration figure (rated favorably by 78%), v. Bush (69%), 
Rumsfeld (51%) and Cheney (49%).
 
 * Rudy Giuliani Very Popular:  New York's former Mayor (76%) is almost as 
popular as Powell.
 
 The TIME/CNN Poll was conducted Aug. 28-29 among 1,004 adults.
 
 Developing...
 
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 Filed By Matt Drudge
 Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
 http://www.drudgereportArchives.com  for updates
 (c)DRUDGE REPORT 2002
 Not for reproduction without permission of the author
 
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