Troops Support President Bush 4 to 1 Over Kerry

USA Today reports that an admittedly unscientific survey of U.S. military personnel finds they support President Bush for re-election by a 4-to-1 ratio. Two-thirds said John Kerry's anti-war activities after he returned from Vietnam make them less likely to vote for him.

Bush 73%
Kerry 18%

The survey was conducted September 15-28 by the Army Times Publishing, which is owned by Gannett.

Even though Army Times Publishing readers are older, higher in rank and more career-oriented than the military as a whole, experts said they do not bode well for the Kerry campaign's efforts to woo the military:

"You can't dismiss" the results, said Peter Feaver, a Duke University political scientist who for years has studied the political leanings of the U.S. military. Feaver said it's unlikely that Bush will receive 70% of votes cast by military personnel. But the results suggest it will be difficult for Kerry to make substantial gains among a group that has strongly supported Republican presidential candidates in the post-Vietnam era.

Feaver said he suspects Kerry is losing support among those in uniform because he seems less committed than Bush to prosecuting the war in Iraq.

Richard Kohn, a University of North Carolina history professor who has studied the political culture of the military, said the Bush campaign has been effective in creating the impression that, if elected, Kerry might "cut and run" in Iraq. "None of us who has studied Kerry's character believes that, but the Bush campaign has established in the public's mind a connection to Vietnam," Kohn said.

The survey also found that Kerry's anti-war activities after his Vietnam service hurts him among soldiers:

65% of active-duty and 67% of Guard and reserve troops said that Kerry's activities after Vietnam made them less likely to vote for him.

So much for those who say that the war has hurt President Bush's support among the troops.

Comments

[Curtis]

Maine Made Christmas was recently contacted by Mr. Lane, Environmental Coordinator at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, OH (former Lima Army Tank Plant and home of the Abrams Tank) about being involved in a program called "Operation Phone Home" to provide prepaid phone card's to our troops serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

We are proud to be involved in this effort to bring the sound of a loved ones voice to our soldiers serving all of us and would encourage spreading the word.
Click here for more info.

Thanks,
Curt