AP/Ipsos Poll: Worries About Iraq,
Politicians Have Grown
The Miami Herald/The Associated Press/Ipsos Poll
Michael Gross
January 16, 2006
WASHINGTON - Economic worries have decreased over the last six months as the
American public has shifted its concern more to the war in Iraq and problems
faced by political leaders, AP-Ipsos polling found.
The economy has been showing signs of strength in recent months. But the
violence in Iraq has continued, before and after the latest round of elections
in mid-December. And high-profile politicians in this country have been
ensnared by scandal.
When people were asked in an open-ended question to name the nation's top
problem, 25 percent named war, close to the level in October, but up from 19
percent in July. The number of people who named political leaders as the most
important problem has almost tripled, from 5 percent in July to 14 percent as
the new year starts.
"The war is a problem that fouls up what we need to do in the world," said
Peter Palys, a lawyer from Wheaton, Ill. "My feelings about Iraq have
solidified over the last six months. ... We can't stay; we can't leave, and we
can't win. Our success or failure is not in our hands."
American troops are still dying at a rate of about two per day and the
insurgency has shown no clear signs of weakening in recent months. But U.S.
officials are heartened by progress they see in training Iraqi security forces
- a key step toward disengaging U.S. forces.
While violence continues in Iraq, scandals involving prominent politicians
in this country have been growing.
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is facing trial on felony charges in
a Texas campaign finance investigation. He's one of several lawmakers who were
close to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Abramoff lavished favors on lawmakers and is
now cooperating with prosecutors after pleading guilty to corruption
charges.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, sometimes mentioned as a possible 2008
presidential candidate, is under investigation by federal prosecutors in New
York and by the Securities and Exchange Commission because of his handling of
stock sales. U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., pleaded guilty to
accepting $2.4 million in bribes.
"It's a steady drumbeat," said Walter Mebane, a professor of government at
Cornell University. "People who aren't political junkies may not follow the
names, but they're always hearing something about corrupt politicians in
Washington."
Neal Bowser, a carpet technician from Westchester, Pa., said the bribery
scandals are his top concern now.
"Money seems to be corrupting the whole bottom line," he said. "Our
political leaders are not working for the people when they're working for their
own pockets."
Public concern about the economy, while still relatively high, has been
declining. About one in five, 21 percent, named economic issues as the top
problem, down from 28 percent in July, according to the poll of 1,001 adults
taken Jan. 3-5. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage
points.
The economy has been bolstered by a strong housing sector, a rising stock
market and relative strength in jobs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average crept
above 11,000 last week before slipping a bit at week's end.
Some still worry about the economy, however.
"I think the economy is still struggling now, and I won't be surprised if it
gets worse," said Wes Byers, an engineer from Wellington, Colo. "I don't think
jobs are there like they used to be, especially better-paying jobs. There's
getting to be a bigger and bigger gap between low-income and high-income
people."
Associated Press writers Jeannine Aversa, Robert Burns and Larry Margasak
contributed to this story.
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