An increasing number of Americans would not re-elect US president Bush next year, and fear US troops will be drawn into a long, costly occupation of Iraq, according to a Newsweek poll released Saturday.
For the first time, the poll has found that more registered voters - 49 percent - would not want Bush to return for a second term in office if the elections were now, compared with 44 percent who would.
Only 23 percent said "terrorism and homeland security" would be the most important topics for them in the November 2004 election, compared with 48 percent who said deciding factors for them now would be the economy and jobs.
Meanwhile, 69 percent are now convinced the United States will become bogged down in Iraq, without achieving ostensible aims in getting the country back on its feet.
A majority also fears that US forces will be overextended in the event of a security threat elsewhere, according to the poll.
In addition, Americans believe that reconstruction costs in Iraq are too high. Sixty six percent said they do not support such spending, compared with 34 percent who said they support current spending levels.
53 percent said they would oppose an increase to the figure being spent, with only seven percent not opposed to an increase.
Almost half of people polled - 47 percent - said they were very concerned that maintaining troops in Iraq is too expensive and will cause a higher budget deficit, seriously damaging the US economy.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the conditions surrounding the suicide of weapons expert David Kelly have badly damaged British Prime Minister Tony Blair's credibility, not only among Labour voters but also among the entire public.
Two thirds, 67%, told ICM they felt deceived over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. According to the study for the British Sunday Telegraph, even 62% of those who voted for Tony Blair in the last elections felt misled. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
