ABC News/Washington Post Colin Powell Speech to the United Nations Poll, February 2003

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This special topic poll, conducted February 5, 2003, was undertaken to assess public opinion on Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the United Nations about Iraq earlier that day. Respondents were asked whether they approved of the way President George W. Bush was handling the situation with Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whether they supported or opposed United States military action against Iraq even without United Nations support, and whether the Bush administration had presented enough evidence to show why military action was necessary. Those polled were asked to assess their familiarity with Powell's address to the United Nations, whether Powell made a convincing case for going to war, and whether the evidence presented proved, or merely suggested, that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Views were sought on whether the United States had presented strong evidence showing that Iraq had chemical and biological weapons, was trying to develop nuclear weapons, had provided direct support to the al Qaeda terrorist group, and had not cooperated with United Nations weapons inspectors. Respondents were asked how much longer the Bush administration should give United Nations weapons inspectors to search for weapons of mass destruction, and whether it was more important for the United States to move quickly against Iraq or wait to gain international support. Background information on respondents includes gender and political party.