The nation's pulse on Iran

Posted By Andrew Kamons Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:03 AM Share

A poll this week by the L.A. Times found that 60% of Americans believe that Iran will acquire nuclear weapons, regardless of what the United States does to try and stop them. More than half of those surveyed do not trust President Bush to make the right decision on whether to go to war with Iran, a fact that probably contributes to the overall level of pessimism about the country’s control over the situation.

Of course, in an issue with this much uncertainty, the way a question is asked may provide its own answer. A similar poll by Fox News in March showed only 42% believe Iran will get nuclear weapons.

The L.A. Times question groups the diplomatic and the military options together and balances them against the failure to stop Iran. In contrast, Fox News presents these as three independent options.

L.A. Times:

"Overall, taking into consideration everything you have heard or read about the situation with Iran, do you think Iran will be stopped from getting nuclear weapons through diplomatic solutions, or only through military action, or do you think Iran will eventually get nuclear weapons?"

Fox News:

"Now thinking about Iran: Which one of the following do you think is the most likely outcome for the situation with Iran trying to obtain nuclear weapons? (1) Iran will be stopped from getting nuclear weapons through diplomatic solutions. (2) Iran will be stopped from getting nuclear weapons through military action. (3) Iran will eventually get nuclear weapons."

EXPLORE:IRAN, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

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