Twenty-four percent (24%) of American voters favor instituting a military draft. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 66% are opposed. The survey also found that this is one war-related issue with bi-partisan agreement. Just 23% of Democrats, 23% of Republicans, and 26% of unaffiliated voters favor a military draft.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of all voters believe that all citizens should be “required to spend a year in public service, either in the military or some other form of service.” Fifty-two percent (52%) are opposed. On this question, with 45% in favor of mandatory public service and 43% opposed. Just 33% of Republicans and 31% of Democrats support the concept.

If there is a military draft, 41% of voters believe women should be drafted and 49% disagree. Democrats and unaffiliated voters are evenly divided on this question. Republicans are opposed by a 56% to 32% margin. Fifty-five percent (55%) of men believe that women should be drafted and 58% of women disagree.

When it comes to the question of mandatory public service, 59% of women are opposed and only 26% support the concept. Men are evenly divided.

The survey also found that just 17% of voters are following news stories about Blackwater USA Very Closely. Another 35% say they are following it Somewhat Closely. Thirty-six percent (36%) of voters say that ”private security firms like Blackwater undermine the U.S. relationship with Iraq.” Twenty-one percent (21%) disagree. Reflecting the low level of interest in the story, 43% have no opinion

Blackwater is a private security firm whose employees were accused of killing 10 Iraqis by mistake. The company says its men were responding to an ambush. The incident has raised many questions including concerns that such security firms are competing with the U.S. military for employees.

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