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John Daley ReportingExclusive new poll numbers from SurveyUSA for KSL-TV show what appears to be a notable shift in public opinion here in Utah about the war.
For many months the majority of Utahns have supported the President on the war and his basic "stay the course" message.
According to these new poll numbers, even Utahns now appear to be having a dramatic change of heart.
Perhaps it's a reflection of problems on the ground or a new sense of realism with the Iraq Study Group calling the situation "grave and deteriorating." Or it might have to do with the President cutting loose Donald Rumsfeld after big Election Day losses. But whatever it is, patience is wearing thin.
Travis Beecher, Salt Lake City resident: "Well, I support the troops, but I think it's time for them to come home and (let the Iraqis) deal with their own issues over there."
Debbie Grizzle, Salt Lake City resident: "I believe that he should get them out of there before more get killed."
Our SurveyUSA poll of 500 Utahns taken today asked what the US should do now. The vast majority said to withdraw. Fourteen percent said to withdraw "immediately," 64 percent said "gradually," and 21 percent said "no change" is needed.
Compare that with numbers from a KSL-TV/Deseret Morning News poll by Dan Jones and Associates just three weeks ago.
Then, 33 percent said we should set a date and start reducing troops and 54 percent supported the President's course of staying until the US claimed complete victory.
Fifty-seven percent of Utahns asked if they think the situation in Iraq is a civil war say it is, and 35 percent say it is not.
President Bush has long enjoyed lofty poll numbers here in Utah, but on Iraq his support seems to be eroding.
Forty-two percent of Utahns approve of his handling of Iraq, while 49 percent disapprove.
Joshua Able, Salt Lake City resident: "He's done an ok job. But he could put more study into it to where he could let us know what's really going on besides just telling us stories."
Jason Healy, Murray resident: "When we were first there I supported him a lot. I thought we should be there. But after seeing what's come out over the past couple of years since we went there, you know my opinion has changed."
We should point out that when it comes to these polls, timing and wording of the questions makes a big difference; so it would clearly be worth seeing more polling data over time on this.
But based on the margins we see here, this latest poll clearly seems to document what looks like a significant change on how Utahns see the war in Iraq.
