WASHINGTON (AP) -- By a 2-1 margin, Americans say the turnover of political control to Iraqis now is not a sign of success, but a sign of failure because the nation's stability remains in question, a poll out Monday found.
The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government Monday -- two days early.
Six in 10, or 60 percent, said the handover of authority at such an unstable point is a sign of failure, while three in 10, 32 percent, said the handover of authority on schedule is a sign of success, according to the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll. The poll was taken last week.
Six in 10 said they think it is unlikely internal security will be established in Iraq in the next five years and slightly more, 63 percent, said they think U.S. troops will be in Iraq for another three years or more.
Americans would prefer a shorter time that troops are deployed. Seven in 10 said the United States should have a significant number of troops in Iraq two years or less.
The poll found that despite their doubts, a majority, 54 percent, had hopes the transfer of authority to the Iraqis could improve the situation in that country.
The poll of 1,005 adults was taken June 21-23 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
