Two-thirds expect war, this ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll finds, and more than that are willing to accept it. Some of the numbers approach unanimity: If the United States can identify the groups or nations responsible, more than 90 percent support military action against them. Eighty-six percent support military action even if it means war; 77 percent, even if it endangers innocent civilians abroad.

Bush Approval
	APPROVE	DISAPPROVE
Sept. 9, 2001	55%	41%
Sept. 13, 2001	86	12

Sixty-nine percent, moreover, support military action in one of the worst-case scenarios: If it means a long war in which large numbers of U.S. troops are killed or injured. Polls are not predictive, and the public's dander clearly is up, but this result does indicate a seriousness of purpose. So do strength-of-support measures; seven in 10 say they'd "strongly" support military action, even at the risk of war.

Target Bin Laden

In one specific military option, 85 percent say the United States should attack Afghanistan militarily if it refuses to turn over Osama bin Laden, who was indicted last year for the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania and has been identified as a suspect in Tuesday's attacks. Again, seven in 10 feel that way strongly.

There is, as well, increasing confidence that those responsible indeed will be identified. Ninety-five percent think so, and 65 percent are "very confident" of it — up from 54 percent the night of Tuesday's attacks.

How to Respond to the Attacks?
	SUPPORT	OPPOSE
Taking Military Action	93%	5%
...even if it means war	86	11
...even if it means civilian casualties abroad	77	19
...even if it means a long war with large numbers of U.S. troops killed/injured	69	26

Security Lapses Avoidable

There is also an increased belief that avoidable security lapses were at fault in Tuesday's attacks. Sixty-five percent now say the United States could have done more to prevent those attacks, up sharply from 44 percent Tuesday night.

The public, again in very broad numbers, supports measures to prevent such lapses in the future. Ninety-two percent support new laws that would make it easier for authorities to investigate people they suspect of terrorist activity; 71 percent feel that way even "if it meant giving up some of Americans' personal liberties and privacy."

Additionally 98 percent — virtually everyone — supports new airport security measures, "even if they cause long delays in air travel." And 87 percent "strongly" support such measures.

Travel Concerns High

Travel concerns are running high, and that was before broad awareness of reports that people had been taken into custody Thursday evening at New York's Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. Nearly six in 10 say they're personally worried about traveling by air because of the risk of terrorism, although fewer, 25 percent, are "very worried." Worries are lower among people who fly more often.

Nine percent say they have cancelled specific plans to travel in the future because of the danger of attacks; and 4 percent say they were thinking of doing so. While small percentages, these represent millions of individuals.

Personal Suspicions Admitted

In another area, this poll finds a broad acknowledgment of possible prejudice: Forty-three percent of Americans feel that the attacks this week will make them "personally more suspicious" of people who seem to be of Arab descent. U.S. leaders have strongly cautioned the public against anti-Arab sentiment.

Economic Outlook Dim

The poll also finds an economic outlook among Americans that is not bright, but also not markedly worse than it's been. Fifty-eight percent think the nation is headed for a recession; it was 53 percent last week.

A last result underscores the bipartisanship that occurs when Americans close ranks in crisis. In an ABC/Post poll completed just last Sunday, Bush's job approval among Democrats was 29 percent. Today it's 79 percent — up 50 points.

Methodology

This ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Sept. 13, among a random national sample of 609 adults. The results have a four-point error margin. Field work by TNS Intersearch of Horsham, Pa.