The Syrian situation provides, among many other things, a case study of the relationship between public opinion and leaders’ policy decisions. The issue de jour is fairly straightforward and binary — take military action or not — and there has been a run-up time period in which to evaluate public […] Read more »
CNN Poll: Who would get blamed for government shutdown?
With the clock ticking towards two crucial deadlines, a new national poll indicates congressional Republicans would shoulder more blame than President Barack Obama for a possible government shutdown. But according to a CNN/ORC International survey, support for the president’s health care law appears to be waning. [cont.] Paul Steinhauser, CNN Read more »
Reason-Rupe Poll: 74% of Americans Say It Would Be ‘Unwise’ for U.S. to Strike Syria
… Nearly three-quarters of Americans, 74 percent, say it is “unwise” to launch unilateral military action against Syria, the latest Reason-Rupe poll finds. Just 17 percent of Americans say US strikes on Syria without the support of the United Nations and Great Britain would be wise. [cont.] Emily Ekins, Reason.com Read more »
The likely opinion shift on Syria
Conventional wisdom claims that public opposition is one of President Obama’s prime impediments to obtaining congressional approval of military action against Syria. It shouldn’t be. Not that public opinion is unimportant; it is rather that public attitudes have proven remarkably malleable in such circumstances. Indeed, in every case on record, […] Read more »
Voters Across Age Groups are United in their Opposition to Military Action in Syria
In the August 28-29 national survey for NBC/Wall Street Journal (conducted jointly by Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies and Fred Yang of Hart Research Associates), the numbers on Syria were clearly challenging for the President. Less than two weeks later, the numbers on the three questions that were tested […] Read more »
Syria Yet to Affect How Americans Rate Obama on Key Issues
President Barack Obama’s job approval rating on handling foreign affairs remains low, at 42%, although no lower than it was in June or August of this year. Thirty-one percent of Americans approve of Obama’s handling of the situation in Syria, the first time Gallup has measured the president’s approval rating […] Read more »