Polls suggest no support for basic shift in global role

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Americans' strong support for the war with Iraq has not diminished the public's belief in the importance of working with the United Nations and winning international backing for future military action, polls suggest.

"The American public is showing significant enthusiasm for having gone to war, and the president has overwhelming support for that choice," said Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes. "It does seem, though, that this support is very compartmentalized and specific to the Iraq situation."

Kull emphasized that point in a presentation during the weekend to the American Association for Public Opinion Research at its annual meeting.

"There's no evidence it is spilling over to other areas, into a greater readiness to use military force against either Syria, Iran or North Korea," Kull said. "They continue to favor an approach that emphasizes diplomacy just like they did before the war."

Kull presented poll findings that show a solid majority, often two-thirds or more, who feel the United Nations should play a key role in such decisions. At the same time, there's no evidence that more people support the use of military force generally to resolve problems or support the use of force without U.N. backing.

"The idea that the United Nations is no longer relevant is rejected by the public," Kull said.

He presented results of his own research as well as numerous other polls to support his point that the public's backing for the war with Iraq is not a sign of broader change in public opinion about military action and the need for international cooperation.

------

The public opinion group honored one of its pioneers at its annual meeting -- former CBS President Frank Stanton.

Stanton, who is 95 and lives in Boston, won the group's highest honor, the AAPOR award, for his contributions to public opinion research in broadcasting.

Stanton was among the first to research why people react positively or negatively to radio broadcasts. He established such public opinion research as a basic component of the broadcast industry.

------

On the Net

AAPOR: www.aapor.org/