Americans Tell Bush to Slow Down
Despite Skepticism of the U.N., Most Want Its Support Against Iraq
Analysis
By Dalia Sussman
Feb. 24 — Americans are skeptical of the United Nations in the confrontation with Iraq, but a new poll finds most are also sending a go-slow message to the Bush administration, saying that winning support in the Security Council is more important than fast action against Baghdad.
The ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll also found a majority disapprove of the United Nations' handling of the situation, and most say they would support an allied attack even over U.N. objections.
At the same time, 56 percent say it's more important for the United States to keep trying to persuade the Security Council, even if that means moving more slowly against Iraq.
President Bush's approval rating on handling the situation has slipped to 55 percent, down six points in the last two weeks.
That's apparently an effect of the administration's hurry-up approach: The decline in approval has occurred almost entirely among those who say international support is more important than fast action.
Still, Bush's approval on Iraq remains higher now than it was in mid-January, when it slipped to 50 percent. And approval of the United Nations' work on Iraq is far lower — 38 percent. (Bush's overall job approval rating is 60 percent — well down from its post-9/11 peak, but still better than either Ronald Reagan's or Bill Clinton's career average.)
Most Support Military Action to Oust Saddam
Overall public support for military action to oust Saddam Hussein remains high, with 63 percent in favor, including four in 10 who support it "strongly." By contrast, fewer than two in 10 "strongly" oppose military action.
If the United Nations is opposed to military action, support drops to 50 percent. But it rebounds to 57 percent if some U.S. allies are aboard, even without U.N. support.
These views show a majority preference for the broadest possible multilateral alliance against Iraq, even if it takes longer to assemble. But, as noted, bottom-line support for ousting Saddam is unchanged — and most would not give the United Nations a veto on war.
Iraq Options: Support or Speed?
Move Quickly, Even Without Support 39%
Move More Slowly, Work for U.N. Support 56%
Bush's and the United Nations' approval ratings for handling the situation are heavily tied to support for war. Those who favor attacking Iraq are far more likely to approve of Bush's work on the issue; those who oppose an attack are far more likely to approve of the U.N. work.
Women remain much less apt to support military action against Iraq — 53 percent do so, compared to 75 percent of men. Women also are 12 points more likely than men to say winning U.N. support is more important than moving quickly, and 14 points less likely to approve of Bush's handling of the issue.
The issue also remains enormously partisan. While 83 percent of Republicans approve of Bush's handling of the situation, that falls to 48 percent of independents and just 37 percent of Democrats.
Methodology
This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Feb. 19-23 among a random national sample of 1,024 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Field work was done by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.
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