Military survey 3 to 1 for Bush

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Men and women in the military favor President Bush 3 to 1, according to a survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, despite reservations about troop strength and an exit strategy in Iraq.

A significant majority of those polled also believe the country is moving in the right direction and that Mr. Bush has better plan for success in Iraq than Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry.

Mr. Bush received a response of favorable from 69 percent of military personnel polled, compared with 29 percent for Mr. Kerry. Twenty-three percent viewed the president unfavorably, compared to Mr. Kerry's 54 percent.

Among National Guard and military Reserve members, the numbers were even higher for Mr. Bush, with 74 percent saying they favored the president, compared with Mr. Kerry's 26 percent.

"These are people who have chosen a way of life, they are proud of it. President Bush is their commander in chief and they believe in the mission," said Annenberg political director Adam Clymer.

When asked whether the country was moving in the right direction, 64 percent of enlisted members said yes, along with 69 percent of guard and reserve members.

"There are a lot of people who support President Bush but don't think the nation is moving in the right direction, but this is the sunniest outlook I've seen," Mr. Clymer said.

When asked who had a clear plan for success in Iraq, Mr. Kerry has work to do, with 72 percent saying he has no vision for the future in the war-torn country. Regarding Mr. Bush's plan, there was a near 50-50 split among respondents with 48 percent saying he had no clear plan and 47 percent saying he did.

Among guardsmen and reservists the numbers were similar, with 50 percent saying Mr. Bush did have a clear plan and 44 percent saying he did not, as opposed to 16 percent saying Mr. Kerry had a clear plan and 74 percent saying he did not.

Kerry campaign officials said they are not surprised to see Mr. Bush receiving high support from the military, and released several statements from military family members criticizing the administration for "failing to give [troops] the proper equipment."