I've seen this scroll across the CNN screen several times. Sounds bad, don't it? Rich Galen thought it did too:

...I was flipping through the cable news channels and came across someone who was sadly reporting that only about 34 percent of the country now thought the war was going well.



That 34 percent number was shocking. So. I looked it up.

Here’s the scoop: The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll asked: “How would you say the war with Iraq has gone for the U.S. so far: very well, moderately well, moderately badly, or very badly?”

As the commentator suggested, 34% said “very well.” But what he neglected to say was that 51% said it was going “moderately well.” Put together, fully EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT of those polled had a favorable view toward the conduct of the war.

By the way, the most recent CBS/NY Times poll – not exactly two news organizations with a reputation for being in the employ of the Bush White House – asked the same question and came up with 84% (32% very well, 52% somewhat well).

These results indicate slightly different version of public sentiment than that commentator presented.