Americans say military pullout in Iraq is for the worse

July 2, 1:25 PMGallup Polls ExaminerJonnathan Coleman

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Iraqi security forces secure the site of a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad's Karrada neighborhood, Iraq, Thursday, July 2, 2009. The attack was the first in Baghdad since US troops withdrew from Iraqi cities and many Americans feel that it won't be the last. More than half of Americans expect security in Iraq to worsen since the military pullout. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

When the war first started, most Americans agreed on it. After a couple of years, Americans wanted out. Now that we're getting out, do Americans want back in?

More than half, about 58%, of Americans believe that security in Iraq will worsen. Only 36% believe that the security situation will improve or stay the same.

The pullout was a result of the Status of Forces Agreement that President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki reached at the end of last year. The agreement approved a time table for the reduction of military involvement in Iraq.

Of the political party members, Republicans are the most supportive of the U.S. military and the most pessimistic about the military pullout of Iraq. Almost three quarters, 72%, of Republicans say that the troop pullout will result in negative consequences, compared to 13% who say the situation in Iraq will now get better. Almost half of Democrats say the situation will get worse, and 56% of Independents think Iraq's security situation will deteriorate.

In a detailed questionnaire created by Gallup, 27% of Americans say  the situation will get a lot worse, and 31% say it will get a little worse. On the flip side, 17% say the situation will get a little better, and only 4% say the situation will get a lot better. And even though phase one of military reduction was carried out by the June, 30 deadline, only 27% of Americans feel the U.S. will complete its full withdrawal by 2011, compared to 69% who say they will not.

There is a significant difference in security views between those who say America will complete its full withdrawal by 2011 and those who don't. 22% who say America will pullout by 2001 expect security in Iraq to worsen, and 37% say security will get better. On the flip side, 76% of Americans who don't think the U.S will withdraw by 2011 expect security to get worse, and surprisingly, 61% expect security to improve.

Gallup has polled Americans on this situation since 2005, and Americans have always favored removing troops from Iraq at a favorable majority. Now that phase one has begun, not many Americans are optimistic about the situation.