Understanding Support for the War in Iraq during the Bush Years: Differences in Civilian and Military Opinion

Authors

  • Roy A. Dawes Gettysburg College
  • Hunter Bacot Institute of Government, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.2013.34.0.47-61

Abstract

We examine relationships between military affiliation and support for the war in Iraq and support for President Bush in five southern states chosen because of their support of Republican presidents and concentration of military families. Using public opinion data, we disentangle the effects of race, military affiliation, age, and ideology on support for President Bush and his prosecution of the war. Of note are differences between civilians and military-affiliated respondents in support for the Iraq War. Incongruence is evident about the direction of the war effort between those who fought the war—members of the military—and those who managed most of the war—President Bush and his administration.

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2016-09-08

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