Drediock,
Yes, the number is based on the number of Iraqis who want us to stay until the country is stabilized. To quote Murtha directly "The Iraqis don't want us there. Eighty percent want us out of there, and 45 percent say it's OK to attack Americans. And the whole periphery say there's more chance of democracy if we get out of there."
Murtha's flat numbers aren't even close to being reflected in the poll:
"Specifically, 26 percent of Iraqis say U.S. and other coalition forces should "leave now" and another 19 percent say they should go after the government chosen in this week's election takes office; that adds to 45 percent. Roughly the other half says coalition forces should remain until security is restored (31 percent), until Iraqi security forces can operate independently (16 percent), or longer (5 percent)."
So basically, both the Iraqis and the USA are agreed that we don't want to be there, but that we are obligated to stay until the country is stabilized. That is usually the sentiment expressed in any occupied country following a war that results in regime change. You aren't happy about having foriegn troops tromping around, but the alternative is far worse. In this case of course, negative sentiments run a little higher than normal for most wars, because an alarmingly large proportion of the resident population views the occupying army as made up of infidels who desecrate the land by their very presence.
- SEAGOON