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November 01, 2004

In Which They Serve

If the vote were limited to those serving in the military (as it was in Switzerland until not so long ago), it'd be a Bush landslide:

The respondents were broken down into two groups: Active Duty (AD) troops and Reserve / National Guard (RN) troops. (Apologies for the formatting, I don't have time to set up an html table for this right now.)

If the presidential elections were held today, for whom would you vote?

Bush: AD- 72%, RN-73%
Kerry: AD- 17%, RN-18%
Nader: AD- 1%, RN-1%
Other: AD- 1%, RN-1%
Declined to answer: AD- 2%, RN-1%

Among Active Duty who were deployed 2 or more months since 9/11, the percentage for Bush goes up to 74%. Among the Reserve / National Guard deployed for 2 or more months since 9/11 (whether in a combat zone or elsewhere), Bush gets 76% of the vote.

When asked "What are the most important issues of you in deciding for whom you will vote for president?", the answers were:

The war in Iraq: AD-66%, RN-72%
The character of the candidate: AD-64%, RN-66%
The economy: AD-53%, RN-58%
Social issues: AD-34%, RN-36%
None of the above: AD-4%, RN-3%

Do you approve of the way President Bush is handling the situation in Iraq?

Approve: AD-60%, RN-63%
Disapprove: AD-23%, RN-25%
No opinion: AD-8%, RN-5%
Declined to answer: AD-8%, RN-6%

A few things stand out about these numbers. First, I don't think anyone can claim that the military are puppets who salute and vote for whomever is in the White House. Furthermore, the Army Times notes that many military have chafed under Rumsfeld's criticisms and policies, which may be one reason support for Bush's handling of Iraq is a bit softer than for re-electing him.

On the question of Vietnam in this election, neither Kerry's service nor Bush's is a big issue for the respondents in this poll. But Kerry's anti-war activities when he got home clearly is.

In making your decision about voting for president, how important is the military service record of the candidates?
Very important: AD-12%, RN-16%
Somewhat important: AD - 47%, RN-54%
No opinion: AD-19%, RN-8%
Somewhat unimportant: AD-19%, RN-14%
Very unimportant: AD- 10%, RN-7%

Do George W. Bush's actions while in the National Guard make you more or less likely to vote for him - or will they not have much effect on your vote?
More likely: AD-6%, RN-10%
Less likely: AD-12%, RN-16%
Not much effect: AD-73%, RN-68%
No opinion: AD-8%, RN-5%

Does John Kerry's combat experience in the Vienam War make you more or less likely to vote for him - or will they not have much effect on your vote?
More likely: AD-12%, RN-15%
Less likely: AD-21%, RN-26%
Not much effect: AD-58%, RN-53%
No opinion: AD-7%, RN-5%

Do John Kerry's anti-war activities after he returned from serving in the Vienam War make you more or less likely to vote for him - or will they not have much effect on your vote?

More likely: AD-7%, RN-9%
Less likely: AD-65%, RN-67%
Not much effect: AD-24%, RN-20%
No opinion: AD-3%, RN-2%

Here's hoping the rest of this country is listening.

Posted by Mitch at November 1, 2004 08:29 PM | TrackBack
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