Obama hits new low on foreign policy in CNN polling

[cali]

One day before President Barack Obama gives a prime time speech to make his case against Syria, a new national poll indicates the president's approval rating on foreign policy has hit an all-time low. And only three in ten approve of how he is handling Syria.

But according to a CNN/ORC International survey, the number of Americans who approve of how Obama is handling his job in general remains steady.

Only four in ten approve of the job Obama is doing on foreign policy, with 57% of those questioned giving the president a thumbs down. The 40% approval rating on foreign policy is Obama's lowest level ever on that issue in CNN polling.

<snip>

Specifically on Syria, only 31% of the public approves of the president's policies and actions, with 63% giving him a thumbs down. Four in ten Democrats say they disapprove of the job Obama's doing on Syria, with 54% saying they approve.

<snip>

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/09/09/obama-hits-new-low-on-foreign-policy-in-cnn-polling/

[JI7]

1. doesn't really matter

he shouldn't make decisions on things like foreign policy based on polls. especially since most supported war with iraq.

[cali]

4. I'm not suggesting that he should make decisions based on polls

and neither is the article.

[leveymg]

5. So, a slim majority Americans were wrong about Iraq in 2003, so he should ignore us about Syria now?

Not sure any President really treats the polls as binding, but I really don't think he should ignore the overwhelming majority of public opinion, particularly since he himself said that Presidents should rush off to war without a solid consensus.

[HappyMe]

11. Polls are not reliable,

since it depends on how the question is worded, and who is taking the poll.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

31. Funny that you mention that.

I see polls, never a link mind you, cited that PBO has 80% support amongst liberal Democrats.


I always find it amusing when those figures are presented as canon.

[Iliyah]

24. approx. 85% is a slim majority?

Also, CNN had RMoney winning the presidency.

The only poll I sorta trust is PPP.

[leveymg]

30. Various polls taken in 3/03 polls showed 47-60% in favor or the Iraq invasion. Not nearly 85%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_opinion_in_the_United_States_on_the_invasion_of_Iraq

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

32. I was a 15%. Proud of it. Probably most of DU was as well.

Now? Not so much.

[JaneyVee]

2. CNN is still waiting to call Ohio.

[pkdu]

9. ^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^

[YvonneCa]

12. DUZY!!!!

...Waiting to call Ohio...HILARIOUS.

[Whisp]

20. bwahahaha! Thread Killer!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. so to sum up, the majority (54%) of Democrats approve of Obama's handling of Syria

thanks for the link!

[cali]

7. yeah, it's great news that 31% of those polled approve!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

10. most independents and GOP will disapprove of anything Obama does

pity you haven't figured that out yet.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

33. Poll or link to back that up conclusively?

[Logical]

13. This is not good news like you want it to be....

"The number of Democrats who disapprove of how the president's handling Syria may cause problems for the White House," adds Holland. "Given his low approval scores on Syria among independents and Republicans, the 40% of Democrats who disapprove may mean there is no base to rally on this key issue."

[Bragi]

21. "no base to rally on this key issue"

That pretty well sums it up. This is an awful situation for Democrats. I'd not join in trashing Obama and Kerry, but I also can't really defend their handling of this situation either, since it's clear that it's been badly mishandled not due to malevolence or dishonesty, but due to, gulp, demonstrable incompetence.

[progressoid]

22. Holy shit. I was going to post something similar.

But I was going to do it in jest.

[Marr]

34. You are aptly named. /nt

[HappyMe]

6. I don't think polls matter.

Especially in this situation because it's so fluid.


I haven't watched CNN in years.

[YvonneCa]

14. Neither do I, especially for an international crisis...

...like Syria. I'm pretty sure JFK...during the Cuban Missile Crisis...did what he thought was right and best for the country, as President Obama will do now.

[HappyMe]

16. Exactly.

If everyone called or wrote to their representatives, that is what should be considered. Not polls taken by tv news.

[Bragi]

17. Public opinion matters

You may disagree with a particular poll, but the idea that public opinion doesn't matter is indefensible. Political decision-makers may choose to act against the wishes of the public on a particular issue, and have a right to do so, but this doesn't mean public opinion doesn't matter.

[HappyMe]

18. I never said public opinion doesn't matter.

Opinions on such an important matter as this should go to the President via calls and emails to our representatives. Not polls.

[progressoid]

23. The polls not only reflect the public's opinion,

they also seem to mirror the calls and emails being made to the WH and Congress.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. At cowboy foreign policy he needs comfortable cowboy boots and a better salesman.

[Bragi]

15. Sadly, he deserves the low rating on Syria

Seriously, the WH is demonstrably fucking up the Syria file. Pretty well anyone can see that. I see no alternative but to lay it all on Kerry, who has performed poorly, and hope people eventually get over this.

Having said that, I suspect that President Obama is a lame duck from here on in. We'll see how the next few days play out, but maybe Dems just need to accept that, and to move on and pick up the pieces. Dems don't need to hammer him, but no-one should try to defend the indefensible either.

This is awful.

[Iliyah]

26. He's ok as well as the Dems

2014 - vote or not.

[joeybee12]

19. Stupid people just don't understand three-dimensonal chess...

And are blaming him for boxing himself into a corner and not realizing his brillance.

[Iliyah]

25. I remember the first debate between RMoney and Pres O

and the DU lite up and the polls had Pres O losing the debate and of course the presidency - LOL

Many here said that the poll that had a large amount of Liberals supporting Pres O was was fake.

And you shouldn't call people "stupid". Its not right or cool.

[reformist2]

27. Here's how the 40% approval number breaks down...

15% neocons
15% BOG Group - Obamatards (are we allowed to use that suffix here?)
10% who think Obama is still secretly a peacenik, he's just playing multi-dimensional chess!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

28. I said when I voted for Obama he would be a man to build consensus; AND I WAS RIGHT!

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

35. Just not the way you imagined it...

[PlanetaryOrbit]

29. Anyone remember 2009, when Obama was highly popular in the world?

I thought he would vastly improve America's reputation in the international community after the Bush administration.