"Jim" wrote in message

What would you expect them to say to a bunch of "survey takers" carrying
rifles? I'm surprised 25% had the courage to say no.

Not so, Jim. Zogby and a couple of others have been polling in Iraq since
fairly soon after major hostilities ceased. They've been very careful and
particular to ensure that polling is conducted with no other persons
present, and in an isolated fashion. They've hired local young civilians
fluent in English and the local dialects, and follow procedures similar to
those used in other countries to ensure, insofar as possible, that the
process is objective and free of taint. Polling is NOT conducted by troops,
except, of course for polls conducted directly by the Army. In those cases,
incidentally, the Army's poll results are congruent with the civilian polls.