(Angus Reid Global Scan) Some adults in the United States would consider legal charges if it is found that George W. Bush did not tell the truth about his reasons for going to war with Iraq, according to a poll by Zogby International. 42 per cent of respondents believe Congress should hold the president accountable through impeachment, while 50 per cent disagree. In Red States (those carried by Bush in the 2004 presidential election), support for impeachment reaches 36 per cent. In Blue States (those where Democratic nominee John Kerry won in the last election), 48 per cent of respondents believe the president should face charges. The coalition effort against Saddam Husseins regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,741 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 13,100 troops have been injured. Pre-war speeches by Bush mentioned specific chemical agents, such as mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas as banned substances allegedly secured by Iraq. State secretary Colin Powell assured the United Nations (UN) Security Council in February 2003 that Hussein possessed biological weapons. The final report of the Iraq Survey Grouppresented to the U.S. Congress on Sept. 30, 2004concluded that Husseins regime did not possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and had not implemented a significant program for their development. Support for an eventual impeachment of the American president varied across party lines. 59 per cent of Democratic Party supporters agreed with the procedure, while only 25 per cent of Republicans concurred. In the U.S., the federal process for impeachment begins with a vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate. Only two American presidentsAndrew Jackson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998have been impeached by the lower house. Both Jackson and Clinton were later acquitted by the upper house. In April 1974, Richard Nixon resigned after impeachment hearings had started. Polling Data If it is found that George W. Bush did not tell the truth about his reasons for going to war with Iraq, do you think Congress should hold him accountable through impeachment? | All | Red States | Blue States | Rep. | Dem. | Yes | 42% | 36% | 48% | 25% | 59% | No | 50% | 55% | 45% | 70% | 30% | Source: Zogby International Methodology: Interviews to 905 likely American voters, conducted from Jun. 27 to Jun. 29, 2005. Margin of error is 3.3 per cent.
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