Sixty percent of Americans approve of the job John Kerry is doing as secretary of state, while 31% disapprove. His job approval rating eclipses those of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. [cont.] Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup Read more »
In America, not isolationism but skepticism
President Obama and his aides were surprised this month by the strength of public opposition to their call for military action against Syria. They shouldn’t have been. Americans have almost always been reluctant to go to war. In 1939, polls showed that most Americans not only wanted to stay out […] Read more »
Mann and Ornstein: ‘Brighter future for politics and policy requires a different Republican Party’
… The year that has passed since this book first appeared has done nothing to make us question our analysis of the causes of America’s dysfunctional politics. First, today’s sharply polarized and strategically focused political parties fit poorly with a constitutional system that anticipates collaboration as well as competition within […] Read more »
Syria Vote vs. Iraq, Kosovo, Somalia
Washington may be split by partisanship, but politics stop at the water’s edge, or so goes the old saw. That is, when it comes to using military force, lawmakers moves past simple Red/Blue distinctions and come together. But in recent weeks, many lawmakers have voiced concern that the “water’s edge” tradition […] Read more »
Why Democrats Have Reason to Fear
… Stepping back, midterm elections are, more often than not, referenda on the White House occupant. While the president’s name is not on the ballot, voters usually register their approval or disapproval of the administration through their votes for Congress. Obama’s job-approval ratings are currently in the low- to mid-40s, […] Read more »
Syria: No war – no victor?
In his Tuesday address to the nation, President Obama had to make the case for military action against Syria to an American public more opposed to confrontation – even against terrorism – than at any time in his Presidency, and especially opposed to U.S. engagement in Syria. In the latest […] Read more »