Support for War Slips in Polls As Editorials Hold Firm

By: E&P Staff Results of new Gallup polls, revealed today, show public support for the Iraq adventure, and President Bush's handling of it, slipping.

A new Gallup survey shows that nearly half of the sample now calls for U.S. troop withdrawals, with 21% wanting some troops pulled out and 25% wanting all troops out. Of the rest, 26% wish to maintain current levels, while 24% want more troops sent.

Another Gallup poll finds support for President Bush's handling of the issue down to 42%, nearly a new low.

Few newspaper editorials or columnists have called for a reduction in U.S. troops levels in Iraq, and many, including The New York Times, have urged sending more troops.

In another Gallup finding, a majority of Americans now say it was mistake for the U.S. to invade Iraq. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they thought it was a mistake to send U.S. troops to Iraq, versus 47 percent with the opposite view.