McConnell's war stance unpopular

2007-09-18

Source: McClatchy News

More than half of Kentucky voters disapprove of the way Sen. Mitch McConnell has handled legislative issues regarding the post-war occupation of Iraq, see the war as "not worth" it and are torn over McConnell's overall performance as senator, according to newly released poll figures.

The statewide Herald-Leader/Action News 36 poll, which was conducted last week and included 600 likely voters, found that 55 percent of those polled disapprove of McConnell's position on Iraq while 38 percent approve and 7 percent are undecided.

Similarly, 57 percent of Kentucky voters polled said the war wasn't worth the loss of life and expense while 32 percent feel the war effort was worth it and 11 percent are unsure. Voters are split on McConnell's job performance with 47 percent approving, 44 percent disapproving and 9 percent unsure.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

The apparent disconnect between voters in his home state and McConnell on the war echoes sentiments expressed in national polls conducted this month by the Associated Press-Ipsos and Gallup, which showed that just over half of the voting public sees the Iraq war as a failure and think the U.S. troop buildup hasn't worked. Earlier this year, a Courier-Journal poll of roughly 800 likely voters found that 52 percent of Kentuckians wanted McConnell to oppose the troop surge, compared with 40 percent who said he should support the surge.

McConnell's chief of staff Billy Piper said the Herald-Leader's poll figures contrast with their own numbers, which show the senator's approval rating in the mid 50s and his disapproval ratings in the "high 20's to low 30's."

During a telephone conference with reporters yesterday, McConnell said that, though many Kentuckians are frustrated over Iraq, they will be pleased as the nation reduces troop numbers and heads "in a different direction in Iraq."

"Most Kentuckians who are frustrated with the war don't want to give up, they just want to prevail," he said.

Many of those polled expressed mixed feelings about both McConnell and the war.

"I think he should vote for our troops to come back home," said Claudia Flynn of Lexington. "I think most people feel that way."

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