PATRICK HEALY WANTS A JOB AT FAUX NEWS

Healy wrote a misleading piece for the NYT about Iraq and the Democrats, "As Democrats See Security Gains in Iraq, Tone Shifts." This was his first mistake:

While the Democratic candidates are continuing to assail the war — a popular position with many of the party’s primary voters —

It is true that that position is popular with Democratic primary voters but by phrasing it that way, it gives the impression that it is not popular with the country at large. At pollingreport.com, we can find plenty of evidence that the majority of Americans want a withdrawal:

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Nov. 1-5, 2007. N=1,509 adults nationwide. MoE ± 2.5 (for all adults).

"When it comes to the war in Iraq, which of the following statements comes closer to your point of view? The most responsible thing we can do is find a way to withdraw most of our troops from Iraq by the beginning of 2009. The most responsible thing we can do is to remain in Iraq until the situation in the country is stable."
						.
		Withdraw Most Troops By 2009	Remain Until Country Stable	Unsure
		%	%	%
	11/1-5/07	55	40	5

Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Oct. 17-23, 2007. N=2,007 adults nationwide. MoE ± 2.5. July 2007 survey conducted by Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas. "Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized, or do you think the U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible?"
						.
		Keep in Iraq Until Stabilized	Bring Home As Soon as Possible	Unsure
		%	%	%
	10/17-23/07	42	54	4
	9/12-16/07	39	54	7
	7/25-29/07	39	54	7