Executive Summary

This analysis of recent polling conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner on behalf of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq finds that voters in suburban districts are deeply opposed to the war in Iraq and want their members of Congress to hold the President accountable. Sixty-two percent of voters in suburban districts - including two-thirds of voters in Republican-held suburban districts, want Congress to send the President a bill with some sort of restriction or deadline. Republican incumbents, paying a price for supporting the President, have seen their approval ratings drop 7 points since the debate started in early March.

Methodology

This report is based on a Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. The survey, of 1,224 likely voters, fielded in the 50 most competitive congressional districts May 3-7, 2007.

Key Findings

• Voters in suburban districts are deeply dissatisfied with the war in Iraq and the President’s policies.
• Democratic incumbents in suburban districts are strengthened by confronting the President on the Iraq spending bill debate. Voters agree with Democrats in Congress over President Bush by a 10 point margin and blame the President for the gridlock by 18 points.
• Republican members in suburban districts are taking a hit for siding with the President - their approval ratings have slid 7 points since this debate started.
• Suburban voters want their members of Congress to vote for measures that will force the President to change policies and reduce troop levels in Iraq.