Support for Airstrikes Easily Eclipses Gulf War Levels
Analysis By Gary Langer
Oct. 7
— Americans reacted with overwhelming support to Sunday's airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan, despite the majority's belief that the action raises the likelihood of further terrorist attacks in the United States.
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
The public's resolve is nearly as deep as it is broad. Not only do 94 percent support the airstrikes, but a remarkable 83 percent support them "strongly" — 30 points more than the level of "strong" support for the Persian Gulf War when it began on Jan. 16, 1991.
Support for Air Strikes
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
STRONGLY
Air strikes on Afghanistan (10/7/01)
94%
83%
Start
of Gulf War (1/16/91)
76%
53%
Public support is not limited to airstrikes, moreover: Three-quarters or more support sending "a significant number" of U.S. ground troops into Afghanistan, both to capture or kill Osama bin Laden and his associates, and to overthrow the Taliban regime.
Support for Ground Troops
Support
Oppose
To Capture/Kill bin Laden
80%
16%
To Overthrow Taliban
75%
21%
Few see this initial action as a quick fix: Eighty-two percent expect a long war. And 71 percent support President Bush's call for a broad war on terrorism, rather than more limited military action against those responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Fear of Reprisals
There is a fear of reprisals: Fifty-five percent of Americans think the airstrikes make further terrorist attacks against the United States more likely. At the same time, though, the numbers of Americans worried about further terrorism held steady at eight in 10, including four in 10 "very" worried.
Probably most telling is this: In the long run, the public by nearly a 3 to 1 margin says the risk created by military action against terrorism is smaller than the risk that would be created by a lack of such action. It's this perceived absence of alternatives that's fueling much of the public's support for war on terrorists and the nations that support them.
Fear of Reprisals on U.S. Soil After Retaliation Attacks
More Likely
Less Likely
No Difference
No Opinion
55%
10%
32%
3%
Backing for the administration could hardly be higher. Bush wins a 93 percent approval rating for his handling of the situation. And only 14 percent think he should have done more to find a diplomatic solution before initiating military action.
Nearly seven in 10 also say they feel the United States is doing enough to win the support of Muslims around the world.
In another aspect of the U.S. efforts, 77 percent support the provision of $320 million worth of U.S. humanitarian aid to the Afghan people; most support it even while the Taliban government remains in power.
Men, Republicans More Likely to Support
While public support for the air strikes is nearly unanimous, there are some differences in its intensity. Men are 10 points more likely than women to strongly support the action, although it's high in both groups — 88 percent among men, 78 percent among women. Similarly, 94 percent of Republicans support the airstrikes strongly, compared to 75 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of independents.
Finally, women also are less apt than men, by an 18-point margin, to support a "broader war" against terrorism as opposed to strikes only against those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.
METHODOLOGY — This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 7, 2001, among a random national sample of 506 adults. The results have a 4.5-point error margin. Field work by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
You've requested an ABCNews.com page that does not exist.
If you've reached this page by selecting a bookmark that worked previously, it's likely the file moved to a new location because of our recent redesign. Please update your bookmarks.
If you still can't find the page your looking for, check out our homepage or use the search form below:
PRINT THIS PAGE
VIEW MOST EMAILED