As citizens throughout the world ponder the possibility of U.S. military strikes against Iraq, U.S. public-opinion polls show the majority of Americans are in favor of military action.
According to a Sept. 2, 2002, FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll of 900 registered voters, 66 percent support U.S. military action in Iraq to remove Hussein, a drop from 74 percent approval in Jan. 2002.
Donald Downs and Charles Franklin, University of Wisconsin professors of political science, joined the discussion about the possibility and potential consequences of such action.
Franklin attributed the drop in approval to the increased possibility of attacks actually occurring and the lack of support from other nations.
“Bush needs to rally some significant allies to assure domestic and international support,” Franklin said.
Neither Franklin nor Downs was prepared to offer his opinion on whether the United States should move forward with attacks.
Downs, who completely favored post-Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on Afghanistan, is less certain about attacks in this situation. However, both Franklin and Downs said there is evidence Hussein is building weapons of mass destruction.
Downs said before the United States takes military action against Iraq, Hussein must be given the option to allow the United Nations to complete in-depth weapons inspections.
If Hussein does not allow inspections to take place, Downs believes that is clear evidence Hussein has something to hide and the United States should move forward with decisive military action, whether supported by other nations or not.
However, because Iraq has not engaged in any military action against the United States or any other country, any attacks would be pre-emptive.
“[British Prime Minister] Tony Blair and Bush are taking the attitude that it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Franklin said. Downs said there must be a good reason and clear, imminent danger before pre-emptive attacks occur because a risky precedent will be set.
“In the end, reality dictates what has to be done,” Downs said. “One criticism I have is that [the Bush administration] made this such a big deal that if they back down it will be a green light to terrorist groups around the world,” Downs said.
This could make war inevitable, which Downs sees as an unfortunate position for the United States.
If attacks on Iraq do occur, both Franklin and Downs said Wisconsin citizens, like all U.S. citizens, would be affected economically and personally.
Downs said the immediate economic effect would be a short-term downturn in the economy but may turn into a positive effect on the economy after some time.
Franklin said there would be limited personal effects associated with going to war, other than the usual heightened anxiety that accompanies any military action, as there would be loss of American lives in an attack.
“We, as citizens, don’t have to bear the true consequences of military action,” Franklin said.
Despite the limited personal effects Americans would feel, Downs said he recognizes that the manner in which this situation plays out will affect the entire world.
“This is a moment in history of great significance,” Downs said. “People should be aware of that and pay close attention.”
