A recent Gallup poll shows that a greater majority of Americans believe the US made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq. Heading closer to mid-term elections, some 56 percent believe it was a mistake compared to 49 percent in the summer. The negative view of US involvement has prevailed over the past two years, but the latest results show a wider divide. The negative outlook is even gaining ground among staunch Republicans and remains strong among Democrats and Independents.
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.


