A poll conducted by Knowledge Networks between September 3 and October 18 has found a startling level of ignorance about world affairs and President George Bush’s position on them, among his supporters. A large majority of self-identified Bush supporters believed Saddam Hussein had provided “substantial support” to Al Qaeda. Forty-seven per cent believed that Iraq had owned weapons of mass destruction before the US invasion. An amazing 57% thought international opinion favoured Bush’s re-election (Morgan poll has the world 70% against Bush). Asked about the four international treaties Bush opposes, 70% believed he supported the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, and the same number thought he supported the land mine ban treaty. Smaller majorities believed he supported the International Criminal Court and the Kyoto treaty on stopping greenhouse gas emissions. The poll, which found Democratic Party supporters had a much better knowledge of the world, found that perceptions did not vary significantly by educational level.

From Green Left Weekly, October 27, 2004.
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