Minnesotans not optimistic about Iraq's prospects (Strib)

[Dickie Flatt]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5211968.html

Even as Sunday's Iraqi election approached -- an event that U.S. officials hope will be a tide-turner in Iraq -- most Minnesotans are pessimistic about the U.S. involvement there, according to the latest Minnesota Poll.

By 58 to 39 percent, Minnesotans said things were going badly for the United States in its effort to bring order to Iraq, and a growing portion of those said things were going "very badly."

By 55 to 40 percent, a majority considered it unlikely that Iraq would become a stable democracy within the next few years.

By 56 to 33 percent, Minnesotans said it would not be possible to hold a fair election in Iraq today, and by 52 to 42 percent, a majority predicted that Iraqis would not accept the legitimacy of the government that would be formed after the elections.

On Monday, the Star Tribune will release poll results for Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman. Keep your fingers crossed.