The people of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and Italy all agree that the war in Iraq has made the threat of terrorism greater. The governments of these nations, obviously, disagree. The US, the UK, Australia, and Italy are the main countries that constitute the "coalition of the willing" in Iraq.

The Associated Press survey reports that more than half of Americans view the war in Iraq as increasing the terror threat, while about three in ten agree with the president that it has decreased the threat of terrorism. In the UK, Australia, and Italy, about one in twenty people view the war in Iraq as decreasing the threat of terrorism.

One of George Bush’s staunchest allies and supporter in the War with Iraq just one re-election as Prime Minister of Australia in a landslide. John Howard who, like Tony Blair of Great Britain, remembers his American friends apparently has his country’s support in sending troops to Iraq. He considers Bush a personal friend and a strong leader.

Who needs the French or Germans.

"one"?? Ay Carumba! I belive it would be the past tense of "win".

This poll suggests that Howard won in spite, not because, he sent troops to Iraq. If only one in twenty of your countrymen believe the Iraq war is decreasing the threat of terrorism--and an exponentially greater number believe such actions increase the threat--then it's safe to say that other issues carried the day for Mr. Howard.

What a sad commentary on the people of these countries. I suppose they all should just stick their heads in the sand and quietly mutter " if I can't see the terrorists then they can't see me." Absurd. I know that I feel much safer now that we Americans are more alert and ready to act premptively concerning terrorism. These radicals don't care who they kill as long as that individual meets their criteria of being a kafir. I'd rather stand up and fight the good fight any day that roll over and whimper. What ever happened to all the tough men and women that used to inhabit these countries? The capable and tough individuals die out?

I'm sure that the Iraq issue was not a determining factor in Mr. Howard's convincing reelection.

Point is, that it didn't hurt him and I'm not sure that 'in spite of' necessarily applies as he won so convincingly.

May be hope for GW yet.

Of course the war in Iraq made the threat of Terrorism greater. So did the war in Afghanistan. When you stand up to a bully it's more likely that you'll get your nose broken, rather than just getting a wedgie. The question is whether you want a lifetime of the "inconvenience" of Terrorism (as Kerry put it). Or do you want to bring the violence to a head now and defeat it.

I guess Kerry would consider terrorrism something that would stand in the way of his yaughting or potentially ruining a vacation to Martha's Vineyard.

He's failing the Global Test too.