Today's release of the latest Gallup poll runs with the headline that only 36% of Americans support the decider's plans to escalate the conflict in Iraq. That number, as you'll see and as the title of this post suggests, is misleading.
But the poll included a separate question that summarized a possible "surge" announcement, and found that 36% support the idea of such an increase, while 61% oppose it.
This number, while still low, will be the number trumpeted by the right and it will most likely make the headlines in both print and electronic media. This number however is not the number that really expresses the dismal lack of support for Bush's misquided policy.
In addition to the simple "Do you support the escalation" question, there is also a question in the poll that looks at four options for dealing with our troops in Iraq. This is the more telling poll and the one that should get the attention of the media. It should be the stat that we in the progressive blogosphere put forward as the real sentiment of the American people.
Here are four different plans the U.S. could follow in dealing with the war in Iraq. Which ONE do you prefer -- [ROTATED: withdraw all troops from Iraq immediately, withdraw all troops by January 2008 -- that is, in 12 months' time, withdraw troops, but take as many years to do this as are needed to turn control over to the Iraqis, (or) send more troops to Iraq]?
...snip...
Given these four alternatives, only 12% of Americans opt for the "send more troops" alternative.
The gallop report then goes on to say that:
Thus, it appears that support for a troop surge in Iraq, at this point, ranges from between 12% and 36% -- depending on the circumstances in which the question is asked and the way in which it is phrased.
The four-part question is more realistic and I find it odd that they would report a range based on two different types of poll questions.
This low level of support is also reflected in other polls on the question of troop escalation.
"A number of polls have shown that when given a choice between a set of alternative ways of handling the troop situation in Iraq, only about 10% of Americans opt for the alternative of increasing troops," Frank Newport writes for Gallup News Service. "The rest opt for withdrawal of troops either immediately, within a 12-month timeframe, or by taking as much time as needed."
What do you think we should do? Take the poll and let's us know.