A new poll release by Fox News shows very little popular support for a “non-binding resolution expressing opposition to President Bush’s new plan for Iraq.” Such a resolution fails even to garner the support of a majority of respondents who self-identify as Democrats. Among Republicans, and to a lesser extent among independents, there is strong sentiment that any resolution would only “hurt troop morale” and “encourage the enemy.” Here are the results:
Late last week, Senator McCain blasted the proposed resolution as “a vote of no confidence in both the mission and the troops who are going over there.” He also accused those who would back it of “intellectual dishonesty” for not pushing a binding resolution. In this week’s issue of THE WEEKLY STANDARD, William Kristol speculated on the political fallout Republican senators might face as a result of backing a non-binding resolution condemning the president’s Iraq policy–perhaps Democratic senators ought to fear a backlash as well.
