US public's concern on impending terror attacks hits new low: survey

WASHINGTON - US public's concerns on impending terror attacks hits new low since 9/11 attacks in 2001, according to a new CNN poll released Thursday. Seven years after the 9/11 attacks, the survey found now only 30 percent of Americans think an attack on American soil is likely over the next several weeks, down 11 points since this time last year and down 30 points since the first 9/11 anniversary. Only 14 percent of Americans polled say an impending terrorist attack is likely in their community. Americans also appear to be more confident that Osama bin Laden will eventually be captured or killed. About half now say the U.S. military will ultimately get him, up 7 points from this time last year. But Americans appear to give little credit to President George W. Bush for the lack of a major attack over the last seven years. Only 37 percent believe that the president and his policies are the chief reason. Opinions on the war in Iraq, on the other hand, have changed slightly, with a slight majority (52 percent) now saying that the war is an essential part of the "war against terror." That represents a shift from 2006, when a majority of Americans said the war in Iraq was a distraction. But as Americans increasingly approve of the war, it becomes less of an important issue in their choice for president. Now, only 13 percent of registered voters said it was most important to their vote, compared with the 56 percent who named the country's economic woes as their chief concern.

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