Some polling numbers have been rolling in, giving us a taste of what other Americans are thinking. The troops think it's time to get out of Iraq, civilians think that handing our ports over to the UAE is a stupid idea and most everyone is displeased with President Bush. And don't even ask about Dick Cheney's poll numbers: they're abysmal with only 18% of Americans approving of the job he is doing. Here are the actual numbers:
A Zogby poll reports that 72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and more than one in four say the troops should leave immediately,
A CBS poll puts President Bush at a 34% approval rating. The same poll reported that 70% of Americans (including 58% of Republicans) do not want U.S. ports turned over to Dubai World Ports. This poll is the one that put Dick Cheney's approval rating at a bargain basemet 18%, which surely has to be some kind of record for a sitting vice-president. Although Spiro Agnew may have given Cheney a run for his money.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll puts President Bush at a 39% approval rating. 59% said President Bush can no longer manage the government effectively, which is hardly a vote of confidence.
That same poll revealed that only 9% of Americans think the United States should take military action against Iran; 68% favor diplomatic and economic action to keep Iran away from atomic weapons.
As far as the Dubai ports deal goes, there was a bit of shocking news today: the economic minister of the UAE threatened the U.S., saying that if the ports deal doesn't go through the UAE is going to stop investing in the U.S. -- and hinted that other Arab countries might do the same.
Great. Now they're threatening financial sanctions against U.S. companies if they don't get their their hands on our ports? Why am I reminded of the films The Godfather and Goodfellas?
