POLL: Large Majority of Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies, Obama's Right on Issue

[jefferson_dem]

June 2, 2008

Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies
Public thinks it’s a good idea to meet with leaders of enemy countriesUSA Government and Politics The Presidency Americas Northern America by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- Large majorities of Democrats and independents, and even half of Republicans, believe the president of the United States should meet with the leaders of countries that are considered enemies of the United States. Overall, 67% of Americans say this kind of diplomacy is a good idea.



This is according to a Gallup Panel survey of a representative national sample of 1,013 Americans, conducted May 19-21.

Although separate Gallup polling shows that few Americans view Iran favorably, and that Iran leads Americans' list of top U.S. enemies in the world, the new Gallup survey also finds high public support for presidential-level meetings between the United States and Iran, specifically.

About 6 in 10 Americans (59%) think it would be a good idea for the president of the United States to meet with the president of Iran. This includes about half of Republicans, a majority of independents, and most Democrats.



Both positions enjoy broad popular appeal, with majorities of men, women, younger and older Americans, and those from different regions of the country all saying direct presidential-level talks with Iran and other enemies are a good idea.

The issue of using presidential diplomacy with U.S. enemies distinguishes Barack Obama from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, and even from his opponent for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton.

Obama is the only one of the three who has said he would personally meet with the leaders of countries like Iran, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuela as president, and he recently defended his position by saying "strong countries and strong presidents talk to their adversaries." Clinton has criticized Obama's approach as "naïve," and McCain has been unrelenting in his attacks on the issue, accusing Obama of being dangerously inexperienced and having "reckless judgment."

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http://www.gallup.com/poll/107617/Americans-Favor-President-Meeting-US-Enemies.aspx

[quispquake]

1. Well, this proves it...

Republicans are really, really, stupid...

[jefferson_dem]

2. As if we needed more proof of that.

:hi:

Seriously, this proves that Obama has a winning issue to work with into the Fall. That's a good thing.

[electropop]

4. McCain is assured of getting the idiot vote, as long as he supports idiotic policies.

He can't tell Shiite from Shinola, and that's how Repugs like it.

[4_TN_TITANS]

3. Majority of Americans Find Common Sense on One Issue

Just how tha hell else could you possibly make progress without some discourse?

[chill_wind]

5. K&R n/t