ABC

Groundswell Support for Air Strikes Easily Eclipses Gulf War Levels

Analysis By Gary Langer

Oct. 7 — Americans reacted with overwhelming support to Sunday's air strikes against targets in Afghanistan, despite the majority's belief that the action raises the likelihood of further terrorist attacks in the United States.

The public's resolve is nearly as deep as it is broad. Not only do 94 percent support the air strikes, but a remarkable 83 percent support them "strongly" — 30 points more than the level of "strong" support for the Persian Gulf War when it began on Jan. 16, 1991.

Public support is not limited to air strikes, moreover: Three-quarters or more support sending "a significant number" of U.S. ground troops into Afghanistan, both to capture or kill Osama bin Laden and his associates, and to overthrow the Taliban regime.

Few see this initial action as a quick fix: Eighty-two percent expect a long war. And 71 percent support George W. Bush's call for a broad war on terrorism, rather than more limited military action against those responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Fear of Reprisals

There is a fear of reprisals: Fifty-five percent of Americans think the air strikes make further terrorist attacks against the United States more likely. At the same time, though, the numbers of Americans worried about further terrorism held steady at eight in 10, including four in 10 "very" worried.

Probably most telling is this: In the long run, the public by nearly a 3 to 1 margin says the risk created by military action against terrorism is smaller than the risk that would be created by a lack of such action. It's this perceived absence of alternatives that's fueling much of the public's support for war on terrorists and the nations that support them.

Backing for the administration could hardly be higher. Bush wins a 93 percent approval rating for his handling of the situation. And only 14 percent think he should have done more to find a diplomatic solution before initiating military action.

Nearly seven in 10 also say they feel the United States is doing enough to win the support of Muslims around the world.

In another aspect of the U.S. efforts, 77 percent support the provision of $320 million worth of U.S. humanitarian aid to the Afghan people; most support it even while the Taliban government remains in power.

Men, Republicans More Likely to Support

While public support for the air strikes is nearly unanimous, there are some differences in its intensity. Men are 10 points more likely than women to strongly support the action, although it's high in both groups — 88 percent among men, 78 percent among women. Similarly, 94 percent of Republicans support the air strikes strongly, compared to 75 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of independents.

Finally, women also are less apt than men, by an 18-point margin, to support a "broader war" against terrorism as opposed to strikes only against those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.

METHODOLOGY — This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 7, 2001, among a random national sample of 506 adults. The results have a 4.5-point error margin. Field work by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001