Half of All Americans Expect War with Iran

Rassmussen via Angus Reid ^ | 2/04/06 | Rassmussen via Angus Reid

[freedom44]

Many adults in the United States believe their country will become involved in an armed conflict with Iran, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 53 per cent of respondents believe it is likely that the U.S. will launch military action against the Islamic nation within a year.

After being branded as part of an "axis of evil" by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002, Iran has contended that its nuclear program aims to produce energy, not weapons.

In November 2004, the Iranian government announced a voluntary suspension of its uranium enrichment program following international pressure. In August 2005, Iran resumed uranium conversion activities at the Isfahan facility. In January, Iran removed the international seals from the Natanz site. Last week, Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said any military action against Iran would have "sever consequences."

Earlier today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted 27-3 to report Iran to the United Nations (UN) Security Council over its nuclear program. Iranian negotiator Javad Vaeedi, said his country would continue with its activities, declaring, "This resolution is politically motivated, since it is not based on any legal or technical grounds."

Polling Data

War with Iran within a year?

Very likely 22%

Somewhat likely 31%

Not very likely 30%

Not at all likely 6%

Source: Rasmussen Reports Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Feb. 1, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

[tet68]

A certainty.

[FreeKeys]

Nutcases should get a hold of nukes no more than toddlers should get a hold of hammers.

Less, even. Any damage toddlers do is done without malice.

[American Quilter]

Looks like Americans are taking this seriously.

[Flavius]

[American Quilter]

That's a great statement.

[OldPossum]

Yet I don't think that most Americans realize the explosive nature of this simmering situation. Only if they're asked, I guess.

President Bush has exhausted a lot of his political capital with the war in Iraq and it is unrealistic to expect him to even begin to gather a military force to unilaterally attack Iran. I suspect that he's expecting the European powers (such as they are) to make the first move.

Someone (I think it was George Will), after making some comments on the 21st century, noted, "I don't think there will be a 22nd century." I suspect that he is right.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Iran has been at war with the US since 1979. How does one answer the question: Will Iran and the US be in conflict in the future? Ah, we've been in conflict for decades.

[isrul]

This doesn't sound very inclusive or tolerant. I'm sure it must have been taken out of context. This statement could upset some people and we can't have that in our multicultural community. Right? /dark sarc

[FreeKeys]

the president needs to gin up the draft machinery

I hope you turn out to be wrong on this one.

[billbears]

Take a quote out of the context it was given and it can mean practically anything. Adams was clearly speaking of our independence and not the concern of independence or freedom of other nations. If you're seeking quotes supporting interventionism, I would suggest you begin with Woodrow Wilson.

[DoughtyOne]

   
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[lawgirl]

I was just thinking this after seeing the latest headlines on Foxnews. I hope the world gets with us on this one.

[Hypervigilant]

More like a toddler with an IED.

Crazed muzzies with nukes is absolutely not acceptable.

[Hypervigilant]

Won't be an occupying force. Won't need a draft, just lotsa folks to build JDAMs and Tomahawks.

[308MBR]

Again the poll results bear out apalling statistics, most notably that over one third of participants don't know what is going on.

[TexasGreg]

Naw ... just nuke 'em and be done with it. Reagan should have done it back in 1980 after our people, whom they had taken hostage, were back in our care.