US will need to own Iran after Trump breaks it

President Trump’s failure to prepare the public for an unprovoked attack against Iran may have surprised Iranian leaders but it has alarmed Americans. Last summer, he boasted that a U.S. air strike had “obliterated” the Iranian nuclear arsenal. So many people wonder why we had to strike again. We’re still waiting to hear his explanation.

This is another fine mess that The Donald has got himself and the nation into. Usually when the United States goes to war, the public rallies behind the commander in chief and the flag. Not in this case. That means there’s no reservoir of good will for him to fall back on if the war drags on and American casualties increase.

The early returns from a national survey conducted Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1 by CNN indicate the president and his war Cabinet are in for tough sledding. Six out of every ten Americans oppose the attack. There are twice as many people who strongly disapprove than there are who strongly approve of the military strike.

The news only gets worse for the poll-challenged president. War should be the last resort for solving disputes but only one in four people believe Trump tried hard enough to find a diplomatic situation to defuse the crisis. Trump left the option of boots on the ground open but only one in ten people favor the use of combat troops in Iran.

Less than half the public believes Trump planned ahead for the consequences of the attack and it’s obvious that he didn’t.

Trump, who pledged “no endless wars,”........

© The Hill