Washington, D.C.

Poll: America’s middle opposes Iraq, leery of Kerry

In an election where most voters have already chosen sides, the presidency could be decided by a small slice of America in the mushy middle — wavering voters who are more likely than others to question President Bush’s honesty and think the war in Iraq was a mistake.

An Associated Press poll of 1,329 “persuadable” voters, conducted by Knowledge Networks in advance of the presidential debates, suggests these people are deeply conflicted about change in the White House. While they have problems with Bush, they also have doubts about Democratic Sen. John Kerry’s leadership skills and believe Bush is best suited to protect the nation.

One in every five voters is persuadable — including about 5 percent who tell pollsters they don’t know who will get their vote and about 15 percent who say they are leaning toward one candidate but could switch to another.

England

Blair acknowledges invading Iraq was mistake

Prime Minister Tony Blair, skirting a direct apology, acknowledged to his Labour Party Tuesday that intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq was wrong, but he insisted the world was safer with Saddam Hussein in prison.

In a rousing address to the party’s annual conference, interrupted twice by delegates booing and heckling, Blair defended the war and said Labour members, even the war’s opponents, must believe he backed the U.S.-led campaign in Iraq to protect Britain.

“The evidence about Saddam having actual biological and chemical weapons, as opposed to the capability to develop them, has turned out to be wrong. I acknowledge that and accept it,” said Blair, whose primary reason for backing the U.S.-led war was the threat posed by those weapons.

“And the problem is, I can apologize for the information that turned out to be wrong, but I can’t, sincerely at least, apologize for removing Saddam. The world is a better place with Saddam in prison not in power.”