(Gallup) Public: Likelihood of Terrorist Attack in U.S. Now Higher

July 12

Sharp jump in number of Americans who say Iraq has made U.S. less safe from terrorism.

PRINCETON, NJ -- A new CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup survey this past weekend shows that the July 7 terrorist attacks in London have raised the specter of more terrorism in the United States, with a majority of Americans now expecting an imminent attack.

There is also a sharp increase in the percentage who say the war in Iraq has made the country less safe from terrorism, and that terrorism is the most important problem facing the country.

"How likely is it that there will be further acts of terrorism in the United States over the next several weeks?"

Very/Somewhat likely 55% (up from 35%)
Not too/Not at all likely 44% (down from 63%)

"Do you think the war with Iraq has made the U.S. safer -- or less safe -- from terrorism?"

Safer 40% (down from 44%)
Less safe 54% (up from 39%)

http://www.gallup.com/poll/content/?ci=17245

For the first time we're seeing polling data that shows that the American people are attributing an action of George W. Bush to an increase in the risk of terrorism here in the United States. And while this poll shows Bush's approval number rising from 46% to 49% (within the margin of error), what we're seeing here is the beginning of some serious erosion of confidence in George W. Bush and his policies in the one area he has always polled well.

This bodes very poorly for him in the long run.

It is only one small step from "The war in Iraq has made us less safe" to "President Bush has endangered the country with his awful war."

On Iraq and the War on Terror, I bet they have gone up as well, it isn't rational, but I suspect you will find that it is the case. Whenever his overall numbers go up it is usually because his numbers on Iraq and the War on Terror have gone up.

while the money lords count their blood earnings.

strong on terrorism? Has that changed?

For the first time ever a majority of the American people believe that Bush's vanity war in Iraq has put the U.S. at risk for attacks by terrorists.

That to my mind is one hell of a breakthrough.

trend pro-gop (not sure if it is the type of questioning or sampling) ? If so - this is even worse for the bushboy.

And I agree - psychologically making the leap to 'Iraq has made us less safe' - is the big step for many... from there growing skeptical of bush... and from there growing hostile towards bush and his policies... are short and easy steps. And steps from which it is very hard to come back to viewing bush as working in our best interest.

Terrorist attacks just don't do it for him the way they used to, and a clear majority of 53% say that the Iraq war was not worth it, compared to 44% who say it did.