On
the Eve of Presidential Debate:
Terrorism
and Iraq – No Relief in Sight
On
the Eve of the first 2004 Presidential
Debate, slated to focus on issues
relating to foreign policy and
national security, a just released
poll of Valley leaders indicates that
these community leaders do not believe
that the threat of terrorism has been
reduced by the war in Iraq.
The Valley Influentials poll
surveys members of Westmarc, Valley
Leadership, Greater Phoenix Leadership
and East Valley Partnership in an
effort to determine the opinions held
about key issues by our local business
and community leaders.
Respondents were asked how they think the war in
Iraq has impacted the threat of
terrorism here at home.
Nearly half of our Valley’s
leaders believe the war in Iraq has
actually increased the threat
of terror in the U.S. (48%), while
only one-fifth (20%) of respondents
feel the war has reduced the threat of
terrorism.
The remaining 32% believes the
threat of terrorism remains the same
as it was prior to war with Iraq.
An overwhelming four-fifths
(80%) of respondents feel that the
terror threat has either increased or
remained the same following war in
Iraq.
Although the assessments of Valley leaders are
split regarding a relationship between
Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda, a
majority does not believe Saddam
Hussein was in any way involved in the
September 11th terrorist
attacks.
The Valley Influentials Poll
found that our Valley leaders are
evenly divided in their assessment of
a relationship between Saddam
Hussein’s regime and Al Qaeda. Party
Differences Party lines are unmistakable, with Republicans
strongly believing a relationship
between Hussein and Al Qaeda existed,
and Democrats matching their
vehemence, but believing that no such
relationship ever existed.
A full 67% of Republicans
believe a relationship existed; this
is matched by 70% of Democrats
believing that no such relationship
ever existed.
Independents are more evenly
split in their assessment, with 41%
believing a working relationship
between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda
existed, and 59% not convinced of any
such relationship. No
Link Perceived Between Saddam Hussein
and Al Qaeda When mention of Al Qaeda was removed, and the
question inquired about Saddam
Hussein’s link to the September 11th
terrorist attacks, the figures change
considerably; seven-in-ten respondents
(71%) do not believe Saddam
Hussein was in any way involved in the
attacks.
Although still evident, the
difference between Republicans and
Democrats is narrowed considerably. The
overall figure includes 62% of
Republicans and 77% of Democrats who
perceive no link between Hussein and
September 11th.
Nearly four-fifths (79%) of
Independents believe that Saddam
Hussein was not in any way
involved with the September 11th
terrorist attacks. Troops
in Iraq
Despite
being mixed in their assessments of
Saddam Hussein’s relationship with
Al Qaeda, remaining skeptical about
any attempt to link Hussein to
September 11th, and not
perceiving a reduction in the risk of
terror following the invasion of Iraq,
Valley leaders remain committed to
U.S. military efforts in the country.
When asked how long U.S. troops
should remain in Iraq, only 13% of
respondents want our troops to leave
immediately.
Instead, 48% will support U.S.
efforts in Iraq for “as long as it
takes,” and another 39% would like
the U.S. to withdraw after Iraqi
elections.
The
poll’s director, Dr. Michael
O’Neil commented, “It seems the
general consensus is that, regardless
of whether a link between Hussein and
Al Qaeda or between Hussein and 9-11
ever existed, a simple withdrawal of
our troops is not seen as an
appropriate answer to any questions of
the war’s legitimacy.
We are there, regardless of how
we got there.
There is a job to be done.
The American people may not all
believe the war was justified, but
they recognize that the consequences
of an immediate pullout would be
negative.”
“Despite the misgivings reflected in this poll, other
polls of the general public have
consistently indicated that the public
believes that President Bush is
stronger on issues of defense and
national security than is his
Democratic challenger.
This poll indicates that
President Bush has some underlying
vulnerability on this issue, but the
President’s relative ratings on
defense and security have consistently
indicated that Senator Kerry has yet
to capitalize on this potential
vulnerability.”
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