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Americans give strong backing for war

As they move from shock to fury, Americans are bracing for the US to go to war, and they overwhelmingly say the nation should take military action against those responsible for the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll shows.

That sentiment declines at the prospect that thousands of innocent civilians abroad could be killed. Still, a majority of Americans support engagement by the military even under those circumstances.

The crisis has spurred the public to put aside its past reservations about the leadership of President George W. Bush and instead to rally wholeheartedly behind the relatively new president and express confidence in his ability to guide the nation. His job approval rating has soared to 84 percent; just over a month ago, only 50 percent said they approved of how Bush was handling his job.

Americans say they are ready to alter their lifestyles, and even sacrifice some of their own liberties, for safety considerations. They say they would be willing to arrive three hours early for domestic airline flights to pass through heightened security and would withstand long lines at public events and in public buildings to pass through metal detectors and inspections by guards.

The public also supports changing the law to allow for the assassination of people in foreign countries who commit terrorist attacks.

Seven in 10 Americans now say President Bush is a strong leader, including 55 percent of Democrats.
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