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Public: War on Terrorism Does Not End With bin Laden's Capture

Public: War on Terrorism Does Not End With bin Laden's Capture

Nine of 10 Americans say capture would be just one step in long campaign against terrorism

by David W. Moore

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- More than nine in 10 Americans express satisfaction with the amount of progress made by the U.S. military in the war in Afghanistan, and almost eight in 10 think it is likely the troops there will be able to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. Despite these optimistic feelings, Americans do not see the war ending any time soon, as more than nine in 10 say the neutralization of bin Laden would be just one step in a long campaign against terrorism. In addition, if and when bin Laden is killed or captured and his terrorist network destroyed, two-thirds of Americans would support continued U.S. military operations in other countries that are harboring terrorists, while just 30% would want to bring the troops home.

If Osama bin Laden is Captured:
Continue or End Military Action?
Dec 14-16, ‘01
Capturing Osama bin Laden:
One Step or the Basic Goal?
Dec 14-16, ‘01

If Osama bin Laden is captured or killed and his terrorist network in Afghanistan is destroyed, should the United States -- [ROTATED: end its current military action and bring most U.S. military forces home, (or) actively use U.S. military forces in other countries that harbor terrorists]?

BASED ON -- 485 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.

 

 

End current
military action

Actively use
military forces

No
opinion

       

2001 Dec 14-16

30%

67

3



Which comes closer to your view about what capturing or killing Osama bin Laden means for the U.S. -- [ROTATED: it will mean the U.S. has accomplished its goals in the war on terrorism, (or) it will be just one step in a long campaign against terrorism worldwide]?

BASED ON -- 534 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B; ±2 PCT. PTS.

 

 

Accomplished
basic goals

One step in a
long campaign

No
opinion

       

2001 Dec 14-16

5%

93

2



These findings come from the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted Dec. 14-16, which also shows that Americans appear somewhat less pessimistic this month than they did last month about the possible occurrence of more terrorist attacks. Only 17% say it is "very" likely that there will be further acts of terrorism, and another 45% say "somewhat" likely -- down from 24% and 50% respectively in early November.

Americans Confident of Success

The poll shows that not only are Americans willing to support the war in the long haul, they are also quite confident of success. More than three-quarters say it is likely that the U.S. military will be able to capture or kill bin Laden, with 43% saying "very" likely -- up from 34% who felt that three weeks ago.

How likely is it that the U.S. will be able to capture or kill Osama bin Laden -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

 

 

Very
likely

Somewhat
likely

Not too
likely

Not at all
likely

No
opinion

           

2001 Dec 14-16

43%

33

16

6

2

           

2001 Nov 26-27

34%

44

15

6

1



Also, by a 66% to 26% margin, Americans believe that if the war were extended to Iraq, the United States would be just as successful there as it has been in Afghanistan.

If the U.S. goes to war in Iraq, do you think it will be as successful as the efforts in Afghanistan have been, or not?

BASED ON -- 534 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B; ±5 PCT. PTS.

 

 

Yes, as successful

No, not

No opinion

       

2001 Dec 14-16

66%

26

8



Public Satisfaction With War Efforts Increases

The willingness of Americans to stay in the war for the long haul is reflected in their increased satisfaction with the way the war is going. The poll shows that 69% are currently "very" satisfied with the amount of progress made by the U.S. military in the war in Afghanistan. Three weeks ago, a similar measure showed 58% very satisfied, while in early November just 27% were very satisfied. Also, President George W. Bush's approval rating remains at 86%, among the highest ratings received by any president in Gallup polling history.

Satisfaction With Progress
Made by U.S. Military

How satisfied are you with the amount of progress made by the U.S. military in the war in Afghanistan -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not too satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

BASED ON -- 485 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.

 

 

Very
satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not too satisfied

Not at all satisfied

No
opinion

           

2001 Dec 14-16

69%

23

5

2

1

           

2001 Nov 26-27 ^

58%

35

4

2

1

2001 Nov 2-4

27%

52

11

7

3

           

^

Based on full sample.



Survey Methods

Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,019 national adults, aged 18+, conducted Dec. 14-16, 2001. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

How likely is it that there will be further acts of terrorism in the United States over the next several weeks -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?

BASED ON -- 485 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.

 

Very
likely

Somewhat likely

Not too
likely

Not at all likely

No
opinion

           
 

%

%

%

%

%

2001 Dec 14-16

17

45

27

8

3

           

2001 Nov 2-4

24

50

16

6

4

2001 Oct 19-21

40

45

10

3

2

2001 Oct 7 ^ †

41

42

9

4

4

2001 Sep 21-22 †

22

44

24

8

2

           

^

Polls conducted entirely in one day, such as this one, are subject to additional error or bias not found in polls conducted over several days.

WORDING: How likely is it that there will be further terrorist attacks in the United States over the next several weeks -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?



How satisfied are you with the amount of progress made by the U.S. military in the war in Afghanistan -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, not too satisfied, or not at all satisfied?

BASED ON -- 485 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.

 

 

Very
satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not too satisfied

Not at all satisfied

No
opinion

           

2001 Dec 14-16

69%

23

5

2

1

           

2001 Nov 26-27 ^

58%

35

4

2

1

2001 Nov 2-4

27%

52

11

7

3

           

^

Based on full sample.



 

       



Gallup https://news.gallup.com/poll/5125/public-war-terrorism-does-end-bin-ladens-capture.aspx
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