Majority in US now call war a mistake

For the first time since the start of the war in Iraq, a majority of Americans say the US-led invasion was a mistake, according to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll issued on Thursday.

Amid continuing violence in Iraq and questions about the justification for the war, 54 per cent of the 1005 Americans polled say it was a mistake to send US troops into Iraq, compared with 41 per cent three weeks ago.

It was the first time since Vietnam that a majority of Americans has called a major deployment of US forces a mistake.

The poll also found that for the first time a majority also say the war in Iraq has made the United States less safe from terrorism.

Fifty-five per cent say the war has increased US vulnerability, compared to 56 per cent in a December poll.

Despite changing attitudes towards the war, the poll gave Bush a statistical dead heat with presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry. Bush edged out Kerry 48 per cent to 47 per cent. Three weeks ago, Kerry led 49 per cent to 43 per cent.

- REUTERS


Herald Feature: Iraq