Most Americans think U.S. is losing war on terrorism, poll finds

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Miami Herald

WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans think the United States isn't winning the war on terrorism, a perception that could undermine a key Republican strength just as John McCain and Barack Obama head into their first debate Friday night, a clash over foreign policy and national security.

A new Ipsos/McClatchy online poll finds a solid majority of 57 percent thinking that the country can win the war on terrorism but a similar majority of 54 percent saying that the country is NOT winning it.

The poll came just days before the two major-party candidates meet for the first of three debates, a 90-minute showdown Friday on foreign policy and national security at the University of Mississippi.

Jim Lehrer of PBS will moderate the debate between Republican McCain and Democrat Obama, which will be televised nationally starting at 9 p.m. EDT.

If Americans are turning more pessimistic about the so-called war on terrorism, it could present a challenge for McCain. Voters traditionally trust Republicans more than Democrats to handle terrorism and national security, but a loss of confidence in the results of the fighting so far could erode that edge.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/69718...

[Turbineguy]

1. I didn't know there was

a "War on Terrorism". I thought it was Bush v. America.

[devilgrrl]

2. There isn't, it's a SCAM

plain and simple

[4lbs]

3. It's about as successful as the "War on Drugs" and "War on Poverty".

As I recall, we still have illegal narcotics and drug dealers, and millions of Americans are still living in poverty.

[ChazII]

11. Good observation. n/t

[Plucketeer]

4. WOT can't BE won!

The only way to "win" would be to just wipe humanity from the face of this planet. Once there's no TWO people left to disagree - NO TERROR!

[curious one]

5. We have sacrificed a lot for nothing. Thanks!

[MetaTrope]

6. Ha ha ha ha ha

The party of fear has succeeded too well in their "boo!" campaign, now it's gonna bite them in their crap-stained ass.

[DogPoundPup]

7. The party of fear slinks and slithers and sneaks around like the snakes

they are...hiding and staying under cover for fear someone will call them out:

GOP officials have been low-key about the visit in a state where the president remains deeply unpopular. And Democrats are already ramping up criticism of the visit, seeking to link the two Republicans to Bush in the hope of damaging their chances in the November election.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[susanna]

8. How the bleeding hell do you WIN a war on terrorism?

By its very nature, terrorism is a decentralized entity; we're not fighting another battalion on a specific battlefield somewhere. What do people not get about this? Truly, this should terrify anyone with even a semi-logical mind - specifically that 57% think we have any possibility of winning such a thing decisively.

[provis99]

9. yet a majority of Americans think Bush has done a good job fighting terrorists.

All polls show is that the American public is a mass of dumbasses confounded by cognitive dissonance.

[Ezana]

10. Terrorism will stop when the attempt to build an Empire and to dominate others stops. No more no

less. Why is there no significant terrorist attack againest Russian, Chinese or Brazillian interests abroad. Because they do not put there noses in the affairs of others. Let us just stop flattering our selves by asking: " why do they hate us ??" Our leaders do exactly know why we are hated; we are hated just because the US acts like a psychopath.

[Solly Mack]

12. I've never been optimistic about the "war on terror"

Well, to be fair...I think the same of the war on terror as I do the war on drugs

[vendredi]

13. I declare

I'm with Sam Harris. I declare a WAR ON WAR!