Poll Watch: Pew Research Survey on Libya

Pew Research Survey on Libya

All things considered, do you think that the U.S. and its allies made the right decision or the wrong decision to conduct military air strikes in Libya?

• Right decision 47%
• Wrong decision 36%

Among Democrats

• Right decision 49%
• Wrong decision 36%

Among Republicans

• Right decision 54%
• Wrong decision 29%

Among Independents

• Right decision 44%
• Wrong decision 41%

From what you have heard and read, do you think the U.S. involvement in military action in Libya will last for some time, or will it be over pretty quickly?

• Will last for some time 60%
• Will be over pretty quickly 33%

Is it your impression that the U.S. is leading the military action in Libya, or is the U.S. just one of a coalition of countries that are involved?

• U.S. is playing the leadership role 35%
• U.S. is playing no more central of a role than others 57%

Note: Coalition aircraft have carried out 1,600 missions since March 19, with U.S. aircraft involved in 60 percent of the runs.  The Pentagon reports, of the 199 cruise missiles that have been launched against Libya, 192 were from U.S. ships (96.5%); 7 from coalition (3.5%).

Do you think the U.S. and its allies have a clear goal in taking military action in Libya, or not?

• Yes, have a clear goal 39%
• No, do not 50%

Among Democrats

• Yes, have a clear goal 48%
• No, do not 43%

Among Republicans

• Yes, have a clear goal 41%
• No, do not 52%

Among Independents

• Yes, have a clear goal 35%
• No, do not 57%

In your view, should the aim of the military action by the U.S. and its allies in Libya include removing Muammar Qaddafi from power, or should they focus only on protecting Libyan civilians from violence?

• Remove Qaddafi from power 46%
• Focus only on protecting civilians 43%

Survey of 1,002 adults was conducted March 24-27, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points.