Bush dismisses the average American's concerns on Iraq
White House Dismisses Polls on Iraq Terror Fears
Wed Jun 30, 2004 06:47 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday dismissed opinion polls showing that many Americans feel the war in Iraq has increased the danger of terrorism instead of reducing it.
Several surveys this month have shown growing public concern about the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq and its potential for fueling Muslim anger against the United States.
Asked about polling data, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters that Americans understood administration policy was "making the world a safer and better place."
"First of all, I don't know that all polls show the same thing on that very subject," he said.
"Because of the action that this president is taking, we are making the world a safer and better place and making America more secure."
President Bush, who has portrayed himself as a war president in his closely fought election-year contest with Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, routinely uses his public appearances to assert that the ouster of Saddam Hussein enhanced U.S. security.
But at least three major U.S. polls this month suggest many voters disagree.
