Petraeus 2012? New Poll Has Little Love for Iraq-Afghanistan War Boss

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

It's a good thing that Iraq-Afghanistan war boss Gen. David Petraeus has been so forcefully rejecting Republican calls to jump into the 2012 presidential primary race. Because in a surprising result in our latest Washington Whispers poll, just 7 percent want him to run.

Our Synovate-eNation poll tested the names of some famous generals who might follow in the footsteps of Dwight Eisenhower to become president some day. But the results seem to suggest that the public isn't ready for a current war general as their president and in fact nearly 80 percent of the respondents split between a retired general, Colin Powell, and no general at all.

Powell probably surged to the top of the generals list because he has had a long life in public service as a White House national security advisor and as former President Bush's secretary of state. But like Petraeus, Powell has rejected the presidency.

Another blow to Petraeus potential bid is that he didn't even come in third to None and Powell. He followed Norman Schwarzkopf, the first gulf war boss, who received 11 percent. Last on the list was the second Iraq war boss, Tommy Franks, at just 4 percent.

Former President Dwight Eisenhower is making a comeback in Washington.He proved a general could be president. Which of the following current and former military men would you urge to run for president?

None, the president should be a civilian 39%

Colin Powell 39%

Norman Schwarzkopf 11%

David Petraeus 7%

Tommy Franks 4%

Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted April 12-14 among 1,000 nationally representative households by global market research firm Synovate.

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