Iraq

In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Iraq, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq, or not?

In general, how would you say things are going for the U.S. in Iraq -- [ROTATED: very well, moderately well, moderately badly, (or) very badly]?

Next, I'd like your overall opinion of some foreign countries. First, is your overall opinion of IRAQ very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, or very unfavorable?

(Asked of a half sample) Based on what you have heard or read about the surge of U.S. troops in Iraq that began earlier this year, do you think the increase in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq is -- [ROTATED: making the situation there better, not making much difference, or is it making the situation there worse]?

Trends for comparison: Based on what you have heard or read about the recent surge of U.S. troops in Baghdad, do you think the increase in the number of U.S. troops in Baghdad is -- [ROTATED: making the situation there better, not making much difference, or is it making the situation there worse]?

If you had to choose, which do you think is better for the U.S. -- [ROTATED: to plan for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq but NOT set a timetable or target date when most U.S. troops would be out (or) to plan for the withdrawal of U.S. troops with a projected timetable or target date when most U.S. troops would be out]?

If you had to choose, which is the more important war for the United States -- [ROTATED: the war in Iraq (or) the war in Afghanistan]?

If you had to choose, which do you think is better for the U.S. -- [ROTATED: to keep a significant number of troops in Iraq until the situation there gets better, even if that takes many years, (or) to set a timetable for removing troops from Iraq and to stick to that timetable regardless of what is going on in Iraq at the time]?

(Asked of those who say it is better for the U.S. to set a timetable for removing troops from Iraq and stick to that timetable regardless of what is going on in Iraq at the time) Do you think the United States should withdraw all of its troops from Iraq as rapidly as possible, starting now, or should the U.S. set a timetable that calls for a more gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq?

COMBINED RESPONSES: VIEW OF WHAT TO DO ABOUT U.S. TROOP LEVELS IN IRAQ, BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

Just your best guess, for how many more years do you think the United States will have a significant number of troops in Iraq? [OPEN-ENDED AND RECORD NUMBER OF YEARS AS TWO DIGITS]

Do you think the United States does -- or does not -- have an obligation to establish a reasonable level of stability and security in Iraq before withdrawing all of its troops?

Do you think the United States would be more likely to be attacked by terrorists -- [ROTATED: if the U.S. keeps its troops in Iraq (or) if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq]?

Do you think Al-Qaeda would be more likely to use Iraq as a base for its terrorist operations -- [ROTATED: if the U.S. keeps its troops in Iraq (or) if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq]?

Do you think a greater number of Iraqis would die from violence in that country -- [ROTATED: if the U.S. keeps its troops in Iraq (or) if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq]?

Do you think a broader war involving several Middle East nations would be more likely to occur -- [ROTATED: if the U.S. keeps its troops in Iraq (or) if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq]?

Do you think the Bush administration deliberately misled the American public about whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, or not?

In your opinion, in the long run, will Iraq be -- [ROTATED: much better off, somewhat better off, somewhat worse off, (or) much worse off] -- than before the U.S. and British invasion?

In the long run, how do you think history will judge the U.S. invasion and subsequent involvement in Iraq -- as [ROTATED: a total success for the United States, mostly successful, mostly a failure, (or as) a total failure for the United States]?

Do you, personally, have any close friends, family members, or coworkers who have served in Iraq in the U.S. military since the war began, or not?

(Asked of those who had a close family friend or family member who has served in Iraq) Are any of those people immediate relatives to you, or not? By immediate relative we mean one of the following -- a spouse, parent, sister or brother, child, grandchild or son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON NATIONAL ADULTS

Were any of them wounded or killed while serving in Iraq?

[COMBINED RESPONSES]

Which comes closer to your view about the war in Iraq -- [ROTATED: you think the U.S. will definitely win the war in Iraq, you think the U.S. will probably win the war in Iraq, you think the U.S. can win the war in Iraq, but you don't think it will win, (or) you do not think the U.S. can win the war in Iraq]?

Next, we'd like to learn your views about what would happen in Iraq depending on whether the U.S. keeps troops there or withdraws its troops from there. First,

How much confidence do you have in the Iraqi government to meet the goals the United States has laid out for Iraq -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or none at all?

Which comes closest to your view about the war with Iraq -- [ROTATED: you are certain that the U.S. will win, you think it is likely that the U.S. will win, but you are not certain, you think it is unlikely that the U.S. will win, but you are not certain, (or) you are certain that the U.S. will NOT win]?

All in all, do you think the situation in Iraq is -- [ROTATED: getting better for the United States, staying about the same, or getting worse for the United States]?

Based on what you have heard or read, over the next few months, is the United States planning to -- [ROTATED: increase the number of troops it has in Iraq, keep the number of troops the same, or decrease the number of troops it has in Iraq]?

Who do you trust to recommend the right thing for the U.S. to do in Iraq -- [ROTATED: George W. Bush (or) the Democrats in Congress], both or neither?

How closely are you following the news about congressional testimony on the situation in Iraq by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

As you may know, George W. Bush is adopting General Petraeus' recommendations for future troop levels in Iraq. Based on what you have heard or read about this plan, do you think General Petraeus' plan calls for -- [ROTATED: too few U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq, the right amount, or too many U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq]?

Still thinking about this plan, do you think General Petraeus' plan calls for -- [ROTATED: U.S. troops to be withdrawn too slowly from Iraq, withdrawals to occur at the right pace, or U.S. troops to be withdrawn too quickly from Iraq]?

Do you think the United States is doing too much, the right amount, or not enough to hold the Iraqi government accountable for taking control of the situation in Iraq?

As a result of the surge of U.S. troops in Iraq, are you now more confident that the United States will accomplish its goals in Iraq in the long run, or not?

(Asked of those who say it is better for the U.S. to keep a significant number of troops in Iraq until the situation there gets better) Do you think the United States is now in a position where it can reduce the number of troops it has in Iraq, or should the U.S. keep troop levels the same for the time being?

Please tell me how much confidence you have in the recommendations of each of the following for what to do next in Iraq -- a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or almost none. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Do you think the war with Iraq has made the U.S. safer -- or less safe -- from terrorism?

Do you think Congress -- [ROTATED: is doing too much to oversee U.S. policy in the war in Iraq, is doing the right amount, or do you think Congress is not doing enough to oversee U.S. policy in the war in Iraq]?

In dealing with the situation in Iraq, do you think the U.S. is -- [ROTATED: putting too much emphasis, the right amount, or not putting enough emphasis] -- on finding a military solution to the problems in Iraq?

In dealing with the situation in Iraq, do you think the U.S. is -- [ROTATED: putting too much emphasis, the right amount, or not putting enough emphasis] -- on finding a political solution to the problems in Iraq?

As you may know, the United States has set out a series of goals or benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet as a condition for the U.S. providing military and economic aid to Iraq. Do you think the Iraqi government is capable -- or not capable -- of achieving these goals?

Do you think the Iraqi government is sincere -- or not sincere -- about achieving these goals?

As you may know, this coming week, General David Petraeus is scheduled to report to Congress on the progress of U.S. military action in Iraq. Just your best guess, do you think General Petraeus' report will be -- [ROTATED: an independent and objective report on the current situation in Iraq, (or) a biased report that reflects what the Bush administration wants the public to believe about Iraq]?

Do you, personally, have a close relative who has served in the U.S. military in any capacity since the September 11th terrorist attacks? [What is their relation to you?] [Do you have any other close relatives who have served in the military during this time?] [OPEN-END]

(Asked of those who have a close relative who has served in the U.S. military in any capacity since the September 11th terrorist attack) Has your [INSERT RELATIVE NAME] served in either Afghanistan or Iraq since the September 11th terrorist attacks, or not?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

(Asked of a half sample) Do you favor or oppose removing all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 1st of next year, except for a limited number that would be involved in counterterrorism efforts?

(Asked of a half sample) Which comes closer to your view about U.S. policy toward the situation in Iraq -- [ROTATED: Congress should act now to develop a new policy on Iraq, (or) Congress should not develop a new policy on Iraq until September when General Petraeus reports on the progress of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq]?

How important will a candidate's past and current positions on the war in Iraq be in determining your vote for president in 2008 -- extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not that important?

Thinking now specifically about how candidates' positions on the war in Iraq would affect your vote, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who -- [ITEMS ROTATED]?

A. Supports legislation that would cut off funding for the war in Iraq

B. Only supports legislation on the war that includes a timetable for removing U.S. troops from Iraq

Do you approve or disapprove of the way [ROTATED] are handling the situation in Iraq?

A. The Republicans in Congress

B. The Democrats in Congress

How closely have you been following the debate between Congress and the president about a bill to fund the Iraq war -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

(Asked of a half sample) Do you think this bill should or should not include certain requirements or benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet in order to continue receiving economic assistance from the United States?

(Asked of a half sample) Do you think this bill should or should not include certain requirements or benchmarks for the Iraqi government meet in order to continue receiving military assistance from the United States?

Do you think George W. Bush should compromise with the Democratic leaders in Congress on Iraq more than he has, or should he hold firm in his position?

Do you think the Democratic leaders in Congress should compromise with George W. Bush on Iraq more than they have, or should they hold firm in their position?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

Next, we'd like to learn your views about what would happen both if the U.S. were to keep its troops in Iraq and if the U.S. were to remove its troops from Iraq. First,

If the United States removes all of its troops from Iraq by the middle of next year, do you think each of the following would -- or would not -- happen? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

If the United States keeps its troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future, do you think each of the following would -- or would not -- happen? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

As you may know, about 3,000 U.S. troops died during the first four years of the war in Iraq. If the United States keeps its troops in Iraq for an additional four years, do you think -- [ROTATED: more than 3,000 additional U.S. troops will die in Iraq over the next four years, fewer than 3,000 additional U.S. troops will die in Iraq over the next four years], or would the number of deaths be about the same as in the past four years?

Do you think the United States would be more likely to be attacked by terrorists -- [ROTATED: if the U.S. keeps its troops in Iraq, if the U.S. withdraws its troops from Iraq], or would it not make any difference?

Suppose the United States removes its troops from Iraq by the middle of next year, and at that time the situation in Iraq is at least as bad as it is today. Under those circumstances, would you believe the U.S. had lost the war, or not?

If the United States is viewed as having lost the war in Iraq, how much would that bother you -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?

Would you favor or oppose Congress taking each of the following actions in regards to the war in Iraq? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. Denying the funding needed to send any additional U.S. troops to Iraq

B. Setting a timetable for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq no later than the fall of 2008

TREND FOR COMPARISON: Setting a timetable for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of next year

C. Requiring U.S. troops to meet strict readiness criteria before being deployed to Iraq

Looking ahead, what do you think is more likely to happen when the U.S. reduces the number of troops it has in Baghdad -- [ROTATED: insurgents will step up their attacks and Iraqi security forces will be unable to make Baghdad secure (or) Iraqi security forces will be able to keep the situation in Baghdad largely under control]?

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 August 2007 -- 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]?

As you may know, the Bush administration has begun to significantly increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to help stabilize the situation there. Do you favor or oppose this?

Trend for Comparison: As you may know, the Bush administration has proposed a significant increase in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to help stabilize the situation there. Do you favor or oppose this?

Would you favor or oppose Congress passing a non-binding resolution to express its disapproval of President Bush's plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq?

Would you favor or oppose Congress taking each of the following actions in regards to the war in Iraq? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

A. Putting a cap or limit on the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq at any one time

B. Denying the funding needed to send any additional U.S. troops to Iraq

C. Setting a timetable for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of next year

Would you happen to know whether your representative in Congress favors or opposes President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq, or are you unsure?

How much will your representative's position on the war in Iraq affect your vote in the next congressional elections? Will it be a major factor, a minor factor, or not a factor in your vote?

How closely have you been following the news about attempts by some members of the U.S. Senate to hold a formal debate on the war in Iraq -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

As you may know, so far, attempts to hold a debate on the Iraq war in the Senate have not been successful. How much does this bother you -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or not at all?

(Asked of those who are bothered by unsuccessful attempts to hold a debate on the Iraq war in the Senate) Who do you blame more for this -- [ROTATED: the Republicans in the Senate, (or) the Democrats in the Senate]?

Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war with Iraq?

(Asked of adults who favor the U.S. war with Iraq) What are the one or two most important reasons why you favor the war with Iraq? [OPEN-ENDED]

(Asked of adults who oppose the U.S. war with Iraq) What are the one or two most important reasons why you oppose the war with Iraq? [OPEN-ENDED]

Do you think George W. Bush does -- or does not -- have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq?

Do you think the Democrats in Congress do -- or do not -- have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq?

Do you [favor/oppose] this strongly, or only moderately?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

Trends for Comparison:

As you may know, the Bush administration is considering a temporary but significant increase in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to help stabilize the situation there. Would you favor or oppose this?

Would you [favor/oppose] this strongly, or only moderately?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

Which comes closest to your view -- [ROTATED: the U.S. can only achieve its goals in Iraq if it increases the numbers of troops it has there, the U.S. can achieve its goals in Iraq without sending more troops there, or the U.S. cannot achieve its goals in Iraq regardless of how many troops it has there]?

Do you favor or oppose President Bush's plan to spend an additional one billion dollars on economic aid for Iraq?

Do you [favor/oppose] this strongly, or only moderately?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

As you may know, the Democrats in Congress are considering passing a resolution to express their opposition to President Bush's plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq. This resolution, by itself, would not affect Bush's policy, but the Democrats are hoping it will put pressure on him to change his policy. Do you favor or oppose the Democrats in Congress taking this action?

Would you favor or oppose the Democrats in Congress taking active steps to block the deployment of more U.S. troops to Iraq, such as denying the funding needed to send the additional troops?

Would you [favor/oppose] this strongly, or only moderately?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON FULL SAMPLE

Now thinking about the benefits to the U.S. of succeeding in Iraq versus the costs the U.S. would have to bear to achieve them, do you think -- [ROTATED: the benefits outweigh the costs, (or) the costs outweigh the benefits]?

When it comes to making policy for handling the situation in Iraq, how much confidence do you have in George W. Bush to recommend the right thing to do in Iraq -- a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or almost none?

Who do you have more confidence in when it comes to handling the situation in Iraq -- [ROTATED: George W. Bush (or) the Democrats in Congress]?

As you may know, the Iraqi government has agreed to take responsibility for making the country secure as of November. How confident are you that the Iraqi government will be able to handle that responsibility -- very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not confident at all?

Do you think the execution of Saddam Hussein last week will help or hurt the U.S. in its efforts to achieve its goals in Iraq?

How much should U.S. government decisions on Iraq be influenced by what a majority of the American public wants -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?

Just your best guess, do you think the war in Iraq has gone -- [ROTATED: much better than the Bush administration expected, a little better, about as well as it expected, a little worse, (or) much worse than the Bush administration expected]?

(Asked of adults who say the war in Iraq has gone worse than expected) How much do you blame [RANDOM ORDER] for the war going worse than expected -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or not at all?

All in all, do you think it was worth going to war in Iraq, or not?

Who do you think is currently winning the war in Iraq -- the U.S. and its allies, the insurgents in Iraq, or neither side?

Based on what you have heard or read, do you, personally, think Iraq is -- or is not -- in a state of civil war right now?

Just your best guess, how much longer do you think the U.S. will have a significant number of troops in Iraq -- less than six months, six months to a year, one to two years, or longer than two years?

How much longer do you think the U.S. should have a significant number of troops in Iraq -- less than six months, six months to a year, one to two years, or longer than two years?

Do you think each of the following will, in the long run, be -- [ROTATED: better off, about the same, or worse off] -- as a result of the war with Iraq? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

How important is it that the United States succeeds in Iraq -- extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not that important?

As you may know, the Iraq Study Group, a commission co-chaired by James Baker and Lee Hamilton, made a series of recommendations for U.S. policy in Iraq last Wednesday. How closely have you been following the news about this -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

Do you think the Bush administration should or should not implement most of the recommendations made by the Iraq Study Group, or don't you know enough to say?

Do you think the Bush administration will or will not implement most of the recommendations made by the Iraq Study Group?

Still thinking about Iraq, how much do you trust each of the following to recommend the right thing for the U.S. to do in Iraq -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or not at all? [RANDOM ORDER]

Do you think the Bush administration should or should not follow each of these recommendations made by the Iraq Study Group? How about -- [RANDOM ODER]?

A. Negotiate directly with neighboring countries like Iran and Syria on regional security

B. Jumpstart peace talks aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

C. Withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq by March 2008, leaving only a limited number to help train and advise the Iraqis

Based on what you have heard or read about the current situation in Iraq, which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: the situation in Iraq is out of control and the country is now in a state of chaos and civil war, (or) the situation in Iraq is still under control, even though the country is going through some difficult times]?

Do you consider the war in Iraq to be part of the war on terrorism which began on September 11, 2001, or do you consider it to be an entirely separate military action?

If you had to choose between the following, what should be the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy toward Iraq and other countries in the Middle East -- [ROTATED: to establish stable governments in these countries that are not enemies of the U.S., (or) to establish democratic governments in these countries]?

Just your best guess, how do you think history will judge the war in Iraq -- [ROTATED: as a complete success, as more of a success than a failure, as more of a failure than a success, (or) as a complete failure]?

Which comes closer to your view -- [ROTATED: Congress should pass a resolution that outlines a plan for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq (or) decisions about withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq should be left to the president and his advisers]?

Which comes closest to your view about what the U.S. should now do about the number of U.S. troops in Iraq -- [ROTATED: the U.S. should send more troops to Iraq, the U.S. should keep the number of troops as it is now, the U.S. should withdraw some troops from Iraq, (or) the U.S. should withdraw all of its troops from Iraq]?

Which do you think is more likely to happen in Iraq -- [ROTATED: the situation will turn into chaos and civil war, (or) the Iraqi people will be able to establish a stable government]?

How long do you think the United States troops will have to remain in Iraq--for less than a year, one to two years, two to five years, or will U.S. troops have to stay in Iraq for longer than five years?

Do you think the United States action in the Iraq is morally justified, or not?

Do you think Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11^th terrorist attacks, or not?

Which of the following statements best describes your view of whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction or programs to develop them just before the war began -- [ROTATED: you are certain that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, you think that Iraq had these weapons but you have some doubt, you think that Iraq might have had these weapons but you have a lot of doubt, (or) you are certain that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction]?