Poll says most Americans think Iraq was a mistake

For the first time since its launch in March 2003, a majority of Americans feel the Iraq war has not made the US a safer place to live, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll published yesterday.

Fifty-two of the 1,002 adults who took part in the telephone survey on June 2 through Sunday said the US-led war did not contribute to the long-term security of their country, which was a chief premise on which US President George W. Bush justified the invasion of Iraq.

With only 47 percent of Americans saying the war was keeping them safe from terrorism at home, it was the first time a majority rejected Bush's contention, which got a 62 percent support in late 2003 and 52 percent three months ago.

By very slim majority of 50-49 percent, Americans also disapproved of how Bush was handling the campaign against terrorism, down from 56 percent in April.

Bush's disapproval rating was 52 percent, the highest of his presidency and two points higher than in April, the survey said.

Meanwhile, Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed to stick out the fight to bring security and democracy to Iraq during their joint news conference on Tuesday.

"The United States and Britain will stand with the Iraqi people as they continue their journey toward freedom and democracy ... By spreading freedom throughout the broader Middle East, we'll end the bitterness and hatred that feed the ideology of terror," Bush said.