Throughout his second term, President Barack Obama’s overall job approval rating has exceeded his approval ratings on both the economy and foreign affairs, arguably the two most important areas of focus for presidents. Obama’s 36% approval rating for handling foreign affairs and 35% approval on the economy in Gallup’s Aug. […] Read more »
Support for U.S. Air Strikes in Iraq Jumps
After splitting evenly two months ago, a majority of Americans now support U.S. air strikes in Iraq – but without additional credit to Barack Obama for ordering them. Support for the military action against Sunni insurgents in Iraq is up by 9 percentage points since June, from 45 to 54 […] Read more »
Support for U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq; Concern About Getting Too Involved
As fighting rages in Iraq, most Americans (54%) say they approve of U.S. airstrikes against Islamic militants there, while 31% disapprove. But while the public backs airstrikes, there is widespread concern about the U.S. becoming too involved in Iraq. Overall, 51% say their greater concern about military action is that […] Read more »
As World Boils, Fingers Point Obama’s Way
… Americans often think of their president as an all-powerful figure who can command the tides of history — and presidents have encouraged this image over the years because the perception itself can be a form of power. But as his critics have made the case that Mr. Obama’s mistakes […] Read more »
Reason-Rupe Poll: 42% Think Obama Has Expanded Presidential Power Too Much
As President Barack Obama orders airstrikes in Iraq and considers taking executive action on immigration, the latest Reason-Rupe national telephone poll finds that 42 percent of Americans feel he has expanded the power of the presidency “too much” during his time in office. Twenty-one percent of Americans do not think […] Read more »
Is This Really Working for Us? Public Views on Foreign Policy
… The crisis in Ukraine, heartbreaking violence in the Middle East, the unraveling “Arab spring,” disintegrating relations with Russia, gang violence and turmoil in Central America–these are just a few of the tough international challenges we face. Do people really want the U.S. to step back from the world stage? […] Read more »