THE HAWKISH AMERICANS

Most say Iraq war was worth fighting (Richard Benedetto, 8/28/03, USA TODAY)

The news from Iraq is mostly bad, and criticism of President Bush from Democrats is relentless. But nearly two-thirds — 63% — of Americans say the war in Iraq was worth fighting, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows. (Related: Full poll results)

That is not to say, however, that they are fully satisfied with the way things are going.

Overall, 54% say the president does not have a clear plan for the postwar effort to bring stability and democracy to the country. [...]

Fifty-seven percent say they believe the war in Iraq is part of the overall war on terrorism. Bush has repeatedly made that argument, and the poll suggests his message is getting through.

Bush's handling of the Iraq situation is approved by 57%, down slightly from 60% a month ago; 66% approve of his handling of terrorism in general.

And 59% approve of the job he is doing overall, a range he has maintained for more than a month, regardless of the ups and downs of the news from Iraq.

The BBC did a bit last night about how much the war was costing America, then went to some man-in-the-street interviews to see how people felt about it. The interviewee's were so supportive of the war and dismissive of the costs the piece could have run on Fox News. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 28, 2003 3:21 PM