How the American people were bamboozled

Cenk Uygur links today to this Washington Post/ABC News poll taken before the Iraq war.

Of particular note, as we begin to see in the Scooter Libby trial just HOW determined the Bush Administration was to fit the intelligence around a predetermined policy, is how effective their disinformation campaign was:

11. Do you think the United States has or has not presented strong evidence showing that Iraq (READ ITEM)?

2/9/03 Summary Table:

a. has chemical and biological weapons
Has: 69%
Has not: 28%
No opinion: 3%

b. is trying to develop nuclear weapons
Has: 62%
Has not: 33%
No opinion: 5%

c. has provided direct support to the Al Qaeda terrorist group
Has: 55%
Has not: 37%
No opinion: 8%

d. is not cooperating with the United Nations weapons inspectors
75 21 4

And on the question of how much those same Americans, who quite definitively supported the war in those days BASED ON THE LIES THE ADMINISTRATION WAS FEEDING THEM, would be willing to invest in American money and blood for reconstruction, the answer is clear: Even the war's supporters didn't climb on board the train that is careening towards a brick wall now:

18. Suppose the United States goes to war with Iraq. After the war ends, do you think the United States should or should not work to rebuild and stabilize Iraq?

Should Should not No opin.
2/9/03
Should: 65%
Should not: 22%
No opinion: 3%

19. (IF SHOULD, Q18) What if that means the United States would need to keep 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq for several years and would spend 15 billion dollars a year rebuilding Iraq. In that case would you favor or oppose the U.S. rebuilding Iraq?

Q18/19 NET

Favor: 37%
Oppose: 56%
No opinion: 7%