A new WashPo/ABC poll finds that 62% of Americans think we are now "safer" than before the 9/11 attacks. Fear of future attacks declines, but still high at 64%. Those having "a great deal" of concern dropped to 18%. Those having "no concerns" of future attacks increased to about 13%.
On-Going GWOT , getting there... 62 percent of Americans say the U.S. campaign against terrorism is "going well", up from a low of 52 percent in early September 2006. Significantly down from a high of 88 percent in early 2002, early in the ground war in Afghanistan. Americans seem to be realistic, with only 14 percent saying U.S. anti-terrorism efforts are going “very well.”
View of Success, varies... Opinions on the U.S. campaign against terrorism vary by political orientation. But, the partisan gap on U.S anti-terrorism efforts is narrower now than at its widest in September 2006. Independents have moved the most in having a favorable view of GWOT.
GWOT - ELECTION ISSUE? not so much... What have you done for me lately? The worsening economy has changed voters top concerns.
In 2007, 11 percent called the economy their No. 1 concern, vs. 35 percent who said it was the Iraq war. Now those numbers are reversed: 41 percent economy, 10 percent Iraq.
Just 6% say terrorism as their single greatest concern, in 2008.
GWOT - Advantage John... Not surprisingly, if you care about this issue, you like John McCain. GWOT worriers prefer McCain over Obama, 56-36 percent, to better handle terrorism. McCain's military credentials gives him a 45-point advantage as the "better commander-in-chief". All the more reason why the Obama campaign is sharpening the focus on economic issues, focusing on the 1992 mantra , "... it's the economy, stupid!". They will try to guide voters to pull the voting machine lever for the Democrats, by pitching a better plan for economic recovery.
Fear vs. family economics - another choice to make on November 4th.
