By Staff
LANSING – According to polling data released Tuesday, a majority of Michigan voters want American troops out of Iraq either immediately (25 percent) or within the next three to five years (33 percent).
"Dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq was an important factor in Democrats regaining control of Congress and capturing majorities in legislatures and governor's offices throughout the country – including Michigan," said The Rossman Group CEO Kelly Rossman-McKinney. "But our research indicates voters want an exit strategy in place that begins to move troops out of Iraq right away."
This according to a recent statewide survey conducted by Denno-Noor Research in partnership with The Rossman Group and Michigan Information and Research Services, a daily legislative and state government newsletter.
The question was worded as follows:
"With regard to U.S. involvement in Iraq, which of the following four statements best describes your beliefs (rotate): we need an immediate withdrawal of all troops; we need to begin to withdraw from Iraq now, with a total American troop withdrawal completed in the next two to three years; we need to develop a concrete plan for Iraq's future stability, which would include a total withdrawal of troops within the next five to seven years; or we are committed to a military presence in Iraq for the long haul, and we are there to stay."
"According to the results, 25 percent of Michigan residents want troops out of Iraq today," said MIRS President John T. Reurink, "while another 33 percent want troops out within the next two to three years. Clearly, where presidential candidates stand on this issue will have a huge impact on the already underway 2008 presidential campaign."