Even Military Families Agree More Troops Needed in Iraq

Duh, you say, since top military and civilian officials have all said we needed -- and need -- more troops to win the peace in Iraq. But it's good to know even the staunch pro-war, pro-Bush families of the military recognize reality.

The fascinating LA Times poll has a lot more interesting nuggets.

"While members of the military and their families strongly support the war in Iraq, a strong majority say the Administration underestimated the number of troops needed to win, according to a national poll of service men and women and their families.Sixty-two percent of a military sample polled by the University of Pennsylvania's National Annenberg Election Survey said the Bush administration had too few troops to Iraq. And respondents said the war has placed too much of a burden on inadequately trained and equipped National Guard and Reserve forces, who make up almost 50% of soldiers currently fighting in Iraq," reports the LA Times.

On hiding the coffins of fallen soldiers from the American people:

"The respondents also overwhelmingly disagreed with the Pentagon policy of barring photographs of flag-draped coffins being returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Fifty-one percent of the military sample said allowing photographs would increase respect for the sacrifices made by the military. Only 8% said it would reduce respect."

On whether Bush is taking care of ill veterans:

"Only 30% said they thought veterans were getting the health care they had been promised. And while 57% said that Pentagon-ordered extensions of service beyond enlistment dates were proper, 39%, a significant minority, said they were not."

On gays in the military:

"The poll's findings on attitudes toward gays in the military also showed striking differences by rank. Commissioned officers and their families opposed their inclusion by 53% to 39%. Noncommissioned officers and their families were also clearly opposed, by a 57% to 35% margin. But 50% of junior enlisted personnel said gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly, while 43% said they should not."

On women in the military:

"Once divisive, the military sample overwhelmingly approved of the work of women in the armed forces. Seventy-four percent said they performed as well as the men they served with, 10% said they did worse than men, and 7% said they did better than men."