BUSINESS WEEK FEBRUARY 13, 2003 READER SURVEY RESULTS
Weighing Powell's Evidence Some 60% of respondents to our online survey still don't think the Bush Administration has made a persuasive case against Iraq Despite the photos and documents that Secretary of State Colin Powell unveiled at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Feb. 5, BusinessWeek Online readers continue to be divided over the question of whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction -- and whether the U.S. should attack that country to unseat dictator Saddam Hussein. Those are the findings of our Feb. 6 Reader Survey. Of the nearly 900 readers who participated in the survey, 96% said they're aware of the evidence Secretary Powell presented. Even so, a large percentage of those who responded weren't entirely swayed by his presentation. In fact, 43% of those who replied remain unconvinced that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, vs. the 33% who are totally convinced that he does. About 20% are somewhat convinced, now that Secretary Powell has spoken. The majority of those who participated -- 60% -- think the Bush Administration still hasn't made a persuasive case that the U.S. should attack Iraq, vs. the 31% who think it has. Here are the detailed results of the survey, which as always was unscientific since anyone who wished to could participate: Are you aware of what Colin Powell said at the U.N.? Option Total % Yes 835 95.98 % No 35 4.02 % Based on the tape recordings and photos Secretary Powell cited, plus his own comments, are you: Option Total % Totally convinced that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction 289 33.07 % Somewhat convinced 171 19.57 % Unconvinced 375 42.91 % Not sure 39 4.46 % Based on the evidence that Secretary Powell provided, do you think that the U.S. should attack Iraq? Option Total % Yes 273 31.31 % No 523 59.98 % Not sure 76 8.72 % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Copyright 2000-2003, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy