Opinions about the use of military force in Iraq have been divided along partisan lines since the start of the Iraq War, and during the debate that preceded it. Today, a majority of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (61%) say the decision to use force was right, compared with just 27% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

While both Republicans and Democrats were more supportive of the war initially than they are today, the partisan gap is roughly the same as it was then. In late March 2003, 89% of Republicans and 53% of Democrats endorsed the decision to use military force in Iraq.