As deaths in Iraq rise, trust in president falls - Military Operations - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Dec, 2003

Support for the Bush Administration is waning as the death count rises in Iraq, but the American public is continuing to back the troops, argues Robert Pritchard, a public relations professor at Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., and a former military public affairs officer.

"As to the current events in Iraq, I don't think the trust in the military will erode should this insurgency continue. Trust in the Administration and its policies [is] likely to erode, but I think it's generally understood that military leadership doesn't make policy, only implements it. As we've seen throughout our history, a weak policy will not stand much scrutiny nor enjoy the popular support of the people for long."

Pritchard feels the public has a high regard for the armed forces because their ranks have an understanding and respect for the concept of civilian leadership. "At heart, though, it is the individual service member that makes the military one of America's most trusted institutions."