A new Annenberg survey reveals that active-duty military members and their families prefer George Bush over John Kerry despite the Kerry/Edwards accusations of back-door drafts and poor administration of military resources, by a 3-1 margin:

When asked who they would trust as commander in chief, people in military service and their families chose President Bush over Sen. John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam veteran, by almost a 3-to-1 margin.

Bush, who served in the Texas Air National Guard, was more trusted by 69 percent while 24 percent said they trusted Kerry more, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey released Friday. ...

A majority in the military sample, 64 percent, said the country is on the right track. Among Americans generally, 55 percent said the country is headed in the wrong direction.

The National Annenberg Election Survey found that seven in 10, 69 percent, had a favorable view of Bush. Only three in 10, 29 percent, had a favorable view of Kerry.

The Annenberg poll, which does not report head-to-head preferences, did not ask the military respondents who they support for president. The report cited a 1948 law that prohibits polling members of the military about their voting intent.

Annenberg points to the fact that military families are more likely to be Republicans as one explanation for Bush's performance among this demographic. However, one gets into chicken/egg arguments when pursuing this explanation. Military families likely align themselves with the GOP because they support Bush's efforts in fighting terrorism, and not the other way around, especially since they bear most of the burden of the war.

For those who claim that Kerry's plan to bug out of Iraq shows true support of the troops and their families, this poll should instruct them otherwise. Military families understand more than others what's at stake, and they still overwhelmingly support the forward-engagement strategy of the Bush administration over the reactive, law-enforcement tactics espoused by the Kerry/Edwards ticket.

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A new Annenberg survey reveals that active-duty military members and their families prefer George Bush over John Kerry despite the Kerry/Edwards accusations of back-door drafts and poor administration of military resources, by a 3-1 margin. [Captain Ed... [Read More]

Tracked on October 18, 2004 11:33 AM