Public Agenda Special Edition: Terrorism

Introduction

Overview

Bioterrorism

Public Opinion

Sources and Resources

Public Opinion: Bin Laden and Al Qaeda
The Madrid bombing shows the al Qaeda terrorist network is still capable of striking the West, even as American and Pakistani forces launch new offensives against it. Half of the public (51 percent) told the ABC/Washington Post survey in January 2004 that the U.S. had done a good job of breaking up al Qaeda, with another 11 percent calling the effort "excellent." Yet a large majority (80 percent) told Gallup in December 2003 they believe that there are al Qaeda terrorists currently in the U.S. who "have the resources to launch a major terrorist attack…at any time."

Part of the reason for the military offensives in Afghanistan and Pakistan is to try and track down Osama bin Laden (if he's still alive) and his senior lieutenants. Majorities of the public have said bin Laden was alive in surveys, but the focus on getting him has gone up and down since the Sept. 11 attacks. A March 2004 Fox News survey found 63 percent of registered voters said the U.S. would be safer if bin Laden were captured. And in a December 2003 Gallup survey, 50 percent said the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan will not be a success unless bin Laden is captured.

But in previous surveys, far fewer people thought getting bin Laden personally was essential. An August 2002 Newsweek survey found that most people didn't believe eliminating bin Laden and other leaders will also eliminate the threat from al Qaeda. Some 54 percent said removing al Qaeda's top leaders would not eliminate the threat of terrorism "because too many cells and potential leaders would remain."

Support for the U.S. war in Afghanistan has always been high (71 percent in the December 2003 Gallup poll). But there has been some erosion - support was at 83 percent in September 2002.

The public has also long considered there to be a connection between al Qaeda and Iraq, despite the skepticism of most counterterrorism experts. In August 2003, 51 percent told the ABC/Washington Post poll that it was "very likely" Saddam Hussein had provided assistance to bin Laden, with another 31 percent who said it was "somewhat likely." (For additional details, see our analysis of surveys on the war in Iraq).

-- by Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson