Americans Still Firmly Against Iran Nukes
By
RAGHAVAN MAYURPosted 06:14 PM ET
Americans strongly oppose a nuclear Iran but split on whether the U.S. itself should take military action to take out Iran nukes. A majority, however, support military action by Israel.
These are key findings from the latest IBD/TIPP poll of 928 Americans completed on Oct. 10. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
No concrete evidence exists that Iran has nuclear weapons. But Israeli and American intelligence agree Iran is "moving forward in developing a nuclear-weapons capability."
Those who now believe Iran must not have nuclear weapons (79%) is little changed from the 78% in our March poll. Republicans (87%) feel most strongly that Iran should be denied nuclear weapons, but Independents and Democrats follow fairly close behind at 79% and 72%, respectively.
Iran has the ability to hit American and allied troops in the Middle East and part of Europe. The Middle East is an essential link and source of energy for the U.S. and the world.
Many observers fear a nuclear-armed Iran would spark a nuclear arms race in the Mideast that would further destabilize the region. While Iranian missiles are not yet capable of reaching the U.S., they could potentially threaten the U.S. and its citizens.
As to whether the U.S. should take military action to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons in the event diplomacy and sanctions fail, Americans are divided with 46% supporting military action and 42% against it. In March, the support was somewhat higher at 52% vs. 37% against.
Republicans are most hawkish here as well, supporting military action by a 61% to 30% margin. Democrats oppose military action 51% to 35%, and Independents are divided with 44% in favor and 43% opposed.
In 2005, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," a view held by others in Iran. Israel is not happy with the Obama administration's courting of Iran regarding negotiations on nuclear weapons.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Obama that he must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or Israel might not have any other alternative but to attack Iran's nuclear facility.
Support for military action by Israel is much higher than military action by the U.S. In March, a majority supported action by Israel by 57% to 29%. But in October the margin has narrowed somewhat — from 28 points to 21. Now 55% support Israeli military action and 34% oppose.
Republicans back action by Israel better than 3-to-1 (69% to 22%), with Independents also supporting the idea (54% to 34%). Democrats split 44% for and 42% against.
Talks scheduled this week in Vienna include a proposal where Iran would send low-enriched uranium abroad for further enrichment for medical use. If these talks fail, an Iranian representative said Iran would carry out the enrichment itself.
The suicide bombing in southeastern Iran on Sunday that killed at least 20 people, including five senior commanders of the elite Revolutionary Guard, might also derail the Vienna talks. Iran has vowed to retaliate against the U.S. and Britain accusing them of backing the bombers. Iran might use the bombings as an excuse to "clamp down" on opponents of Ahmadinejad.
President Obama is concerned with the threat Iran poses to the U.S. and the world and is pushing for mediation talks with Iran. In his desire to contain Iran, Obama has tried to enlist Russia's help. Perhaps to gain Russia's support, Obama had decided against stationing a nuclear defense system in Eastern Europe. He has also called for a nuclear-free world by focusing on the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.
Overall, Americans give the President a C grade for his handling of Iran. Twelve percent give the president an A, 22% give him a B, 29% give him a C, 15% a D and 17% an F.
A majority of Democrats (56%) graded him A or B while half of Republicans give him a D or F. A fourth of Independents (28%) give him good grades, but nearly two in five (39%) give him a D or F.
• Mayur is president of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, which directs the IBD/TIPP Poll that was the most accurate in the last two presidential elections.
Had to light up to just get a good laugh...Bush was a good leader...then why America so screwed when he left office???? Tough calls what tough calls did he make....the first 2 years of the Bush administration coincided with the biggest corporate scandals and bankruptcies since Teapot Dome in the 1920s