Support for the war in Iraq declines in Texas, poll finds

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/8184910.htm

Support for the war in Iraq has eroded significantly in President Bush's home state since the conflict started almost a year ago, with nearly 60 percent of Texans registering disapproval with the way things are going, according to a statewide survey released today.

The latest Scripps Howard Texas Poll, conducted for the Star-Telegram and other Texas news organizations, shows that while a majority of Texans still stand behind the president in his overall handling of the war, they are increasingly uncertain about instability in Iraq and the length of the U.S. occupation.

In what analysts called the most striking finding, 58 percent disapproved of the way the war is going for the United States, reflecting apparent concern over continued attacks on U.S. troops and almost daily bombings aimed at derailing attempts to stabilize the country. Thirty-eight percent approved.

While 59 percent of those surveyed believe that Bush was justified in launching the war on March 20, the finding reflects a 13 percent drop over the past nine months. Other survey categories also suggest that support is waning for the president's Iraq policy since the last poll in June.

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[nadinbrzezinski]

1. As incredible as it sounds

Folks texas may be in play.... yes you did read this correctly, but they may be in play.

[ochazuke]

3. So what's it like on the other side of the looking glass?

n/t

[calimary]

4. Yes, it does seem that way. And that's how we should speak of it.

Heck, the bad guys are claiming (they WISH) that California is now "in play." That's BS of course, but Texas? Indeed! Looks like you can make a fair claim about Texas being "in play" now. And we should. Besides, even if it isn't, repetition will start to make it so. Perception is everything!

[aneerkoinos]

10. Not the first time I hear that

Al Giordano - who by the way gets the glory for being the first to predict Kerry nomination, when all thought Dean - said that Texas was in the play months ago. Demographic changes with more Hispanic voters, who are less likely to vote Bush this time...

[anarchy1999]

19. Hey everyone, we here in Texas had the privilege of knowing him first.

We knew, Molly Ivins knew, Hightower, Ann Richards and many others. No one wanted to hear us. We tried to tell you all! Our voices were drowned out in the "media machine".

Sorry.

[jamesinca]

2. I really misjudged people from TX

I thought all the southern Repugs were just a buch of mindless idiots, and I do think most people in the south are repugs. Maybe they are capable of reading something.

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Although the former Texas governor is considered unbeatable in his home state, analysts say a noticeable decline in support for the war could prompt Kerry to campaign more aggressively in Texas. Bruce Buchanan, a presidential scholar at the University of Texas, said the Texas Poll's finding that only 38 percent of Texans approve of the way the war is going constitutes a particularly troubling statistic from the Bush perspective.

"The South, including Texas, is sympathetic to the president's role as commander in chief, and that's what makes this number so surprising," Buchanan said.


Rep. Kay Granger, a Fort Worth Republican who made a congressional fact-finding trip to Iraq in September, said the war may have been plagued by "poor intelligence" and unforeseen complications. But a majority of Texans, she said, share her view that "WE SHOULD STAY THE COURSE" (Until June 30, then we pull out regardless of the situation).

[struggle4progress]

17. Some of these doubts in TX may be self-interest related ...

sure, have a war, who cares, but don't use my money and don't use my kid

[anarchy1999]

20. And I guess there are tumbleweeds blowing and cowboys riding everywhere.

oh yes, along with the baptists drowning everyone in a nearby river.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Encouraging news --

[alittlelark]

6. My best friend from HS lives in SW Texas

She was a hard - line * supporter, along w/ her family and friends. We had not spoken (after a bad phone call) for almost 2 years. She called out of the blue a week or so ago.

You can probably guess why. Her little town had swallowed the little blue pills en masse. BOY, was she pissed. She even got mad at me for not continuing to call her with the truth after she had called me a 'hater'. It's actually kinda cute when she says it with her accent!

She railed on about * in a way that would make DU proud!!

You Go Girl (and Hubby!!)

[Lisa]

12. get her started on some Molly Ivins classics

Those traditional Texas put-downs are even cuter .... "Dumb as a barrel of hair!"

[Jane Austin]

7. I'm tellin' ya

It's hard to find anybody here who thinks he's doing a swell job.

Texas has all the same problems every other state has: weak, underfunded schools; high gasoline prices (for us); layoffs; really high health insurance costs; too many reservists being shipped overseas; fire station closings; library closings; hospital closings; bad air quality; corporate malfeasance; . . . well, you get the idea.

Why in hell SHOULDN'T Texas be in play?

[SilasSoule]

8. Bumper Sticker Spotted in San Antonio last week:

RE-DEFEAT BUSH!!

[opihimoimoi]

9. Not all them Texas guys are Lolos

[argyl]

11. I've talked to plenty of people who voted for Smirk and regret it.

I haven't met anyone who didn't vote for him in 2000 but are going to in 2004.Texas in play?It could happen.
And I'm here in the DFW area.The dipshit lived here before becoming governor.Just hope when he gets the boot he doesn't come back.He'll probably go to his beloved Crawford "ranch".Yeah,right.

[Malva Zebrina]

13. Hope so--better than having him come to Kennebunkport to live

--he probably could not stand the winter weather and all the inconvience of snow covered roads, up until at least April the oneth.
Besides there is nothing to do in Kennebunkport in the winter.

Better he establish a "permanent home" in
Crawford for himself and hism fat assed frump where he can hide from everyone and every form of criticism.

It will backfire on him, believe me. He does not have his heart in ti.

[reprehensor]

14. :)

:) :)

[Manix]

15. The jig is up. The dork is going down.

[Just Me]

16. I guess that's more evidence that * is in deep caa caa,...

,...deservingly so, I might add! :smoke:

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

18. I posted this yesterday

and I've been saying it for months.

I live in the Dallas area.

Why wouldn't Texas be in play?

And check out Oklahoma guys.......shhhhh!!!! DON'T TELL THE * SUPPORTERS ABOUT OK!!!