A presidential candidate’s position on the Iraq war, which ended more than three years ago, is important to almost two-thirds of American voters.
Sixty-four percent of likely voters feel a candidate’s position on the Iraq war is of significance, compared to 32 percent who say that it is not that important. Furthermore, 26 percent say it is very important, while just 8 percent say it is not at all important, according to a new Rasmussen Reporters survey.
The poll was released on the heels of a comment from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who said he would have authorized the Iraq war if he knew then what is known now about the war. Bush, who has all but launched a presidential campaign, since took back his first statement and now says he would have not backed the war in this hypothetical situation.
Forty-one percent of voters say that given the intelligence that was available at the time to then-President George W. Bush and his advisers, the U.S. should have invaded Iraq. However, 47 percent disagree, while 12 percent are undecided.
When it comes to the legacy of the Iraq war, 61 percent say it will be considered a failure, while 18 percent are unsure. Only 22 percent of voters now believe the mission in Iraq will be considered a success in the long run, down from 27 percent two years ago.
The survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted May 13-14 with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
