ABC News/Washington Post Bush War Speech Poll, March 2003

This special topic poll was undertaken to assess public opinion on President George W. Bush's March 17, 2003, speech that threatened military action against Iraq. Respondents were asked whether they had watched or listened to any of the speech that evening, whether they supported or opposed the United States going to war with Iraq and the 48 hour deadline given for Saddam Hussein to leave his country, and how confident they were that President Bush's policy on Iraq was the right one for the United States. Several questions addressed the Bush Administration's decision not to have the United Nations Security Council vote on war with Iraq, whether the administration did enough to try to win support from other countries for taking military action against Iraq, whether the United States should offer Saddam Hussein and his sons amnesty in exchange for leaving Iraq, and whether Iraq could be disarmed and Saddam Hussein removed from power without going to war. Additional questions addressed whether the United States should show less cooperation and support for France and the United Nations in the future or continue its usual relationship, and whether the war with Iraq would increase or decrease the risk of further terrorism in the United States. Background variables include sex and political party affiliation.