American opinion is overwhelmingly opposed to the continued presence of U.S. marines in Lebanon. According to the latest Lou Harris poll, published today, 66 percent want the marines brought home.
The poll represented a cross-section of 1,251 adults nationwide, taken between January 12-15. Sixtyfive percent of the respondents gave President Reagan negative marks for his insistence that the marines remain in Lebanon and 70 percent rejected the contention that their continued presence is “a matter of national honor.”
According to the poll, 55 percent believe “it has been shameful and wrong that U.S. marines have had to defend themselves in the almost defenseless area of the Beirut airport and cannot shoot unless they are fired upon.” The belief that the loss of American lives in Lebanon is not worth the gains there was held by 71 percent of the respondents.
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