All politics seems to be motivated by terror now. The Republican base is terrorized by... well... everything. The Democratic base is terrorized by what the Republicans have done or are poised to do. This new Zogby poll should be enough to strike terror into almost anyone.
A majority of likely voters – 52% – would support a U.S. military strike to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, and 53% believe it is likely that the U.S. will be involved in a military strike against Iran before the next presidential election, a new Zogby America telephone poll shows.
Was I delusional when I thought we had learned our lesson the first time we went around this roller coaster? I am at a loss for words trying to explain how the massive dissatisfaction with the Iraq war hasn't translated into absolute skepticism towards an Iran strike. Cheney's war drums apparently play a catchy tune.
Update: This poll is really out of whack with the last poll listed on pollingreport.
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 12-14, 2007. N=1,212 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
10/12-14/07
"If the U.S. government decides to take military action in Iran, would you favor or oppose it?"
Favor Oppose Unsure
% % %
29 68 4
I think the operative difference is the way the question is framed. Once the threat of nuclear weapons is added there is a huge shift towards military action. I'm sure this fact isn't lost on the Republicans.
Update2: This is the actual wording of the question from the poll:
Based on what you know about Iran's development of a nuclear program, how supportive are you of a U.S. military strike to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon?