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Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Baker-Hamilton Report Evokes Modest Public Interest
Growing Number Sees Iraq Becoming 'Another Vietnam'
Despite deep public dissatisfaction with the Iraq war, the highly anticipated report by a bipartisan panel proposing new policy options for Iraq did not register strongly with most Americans. Only about half say they heard even a little about the report released last week by the Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton, while about as many (47%) say they heard nothing at all about the group's recommendations.
The panel's major proposals have won fairly broad acceptance among those familiar with them. Six-in-ten of those who have heard at least a little about the Baker-Hamilton report say they mostly agree with its major recommendations. There also is majority support for several of the specific steps proposed by the group, including launching talks with Iran and Syria to encourage their cooperation in Iraq (69%) and shifting the primary mission of U.S. troops from fighting insurgents to supporting the Iraqi army (62%).
However, the public is highly dubious that the study group's recommendations will be accepted by the Bush administration. Fully 57% of those who have heard something about the Iraq Study Group's report say the administration will not follow the panel's major recommendations, compared with only about half that number (28%) who believe the administration will accept its proposals.
At the same time, the public has grown more negative about the situation in Iraq and President Bush's handling of the war. Half of Americans now believe that the war in Iraq will turn out to be another Vietnam, while just a third think that the U.S. will accomplish its goals there. As recently as April, opinion on this issue was evenly divided (43% felt the U.S. would accomplish its goals vs. 41% who said it will be another Vietnam). And just 23% approve of President Bush's handling of the situation in Iraq down nine points since August. Bush's overall job approval mark of 32% is unchanged from November, though it remains the lowest of his presidency.