Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies

by Fairy Tale, Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:14:03 AM EST

This is the result of a Gallup survey published today:

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.

Among Democrats 79% think it's a good idea to meet with leaders of foreign countries considered as enemies of the US (with 19% thinking it's a bad idea). 70% of Independents believe it's a good idea and so do 48% of Republicans.

The poll was conducted May 19-21, so this is four to six days after Bush criticized the policy at the Israel's Knesset and McCain attacked Obama on the issue. This prompted a strong response from Obama as well as Clinton and other Democrats.

What is more, most Americans believe it is a good idea for the President of the United States to meet with Iran's President:

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.

Among Democrats 71% think it would a good idea to meet with the President of Iran, and so do 58% of Independents and 48% of Republicans. Again, McCain has shown he is on the wrong side of public opinion. What is more, I think these results indicate that whenever Bush expresses an opinion, he discredits it completely.




Tags: Gallup, survey, Barack Obama, George Bush, Iran, foreign leaders, John McCain, Hillary Clinton (all tags)

Display:
Permalink :: 13 Comments :: Post a Comment


Who is really in touch (2.00 / 1)

with public opinion?


by Fairy Tale on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:15:02 AM EST

Re: Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. En (2.00 / 1)

Oh my isn't that a surprise.


Obama/Warner 2008
by MissVA on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:23:46 AM EST

Fairy Tale, would you happen to know (2.00 / 1)

if these results reflect meeting with U.S. enemies with or without preconditions?

It's my understanding that's the underlying issue here. I favor meeting too, but not without an enemy at least demonstrating a willingness to meet half way.  


by phoenixdreamz on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:30:53 AM EST

The toplines are at the very bottom of the gallup (2.00 / 2)

poll, nothing is mentioned about preconditions one way of the other.


Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!
by Student Guy on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:39:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The toplines are at the very bottom (2.00 / 1)

Thank you.


by phoenixdreamz on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:49:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Fairy Tale, would you happen to know (none / 0)

But isn't the assumption that we shouldn't meet with Iran because they haven't met some sort of precondition already?  

When you start defining "preconditions" you get into a semantic battle. But the implication seems to be that the American public is not bothered by the notion of meeting with Iran as long as reasonable "preparations" are made beforehand. Insisting that Iran make some sort of major concession BEFORE meeting with the US is akin to saying we shouldn't meet with them; after all, the point of meeting with them is to work out a way for them to meet our demands.


by elrod on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:48:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

As I stated (none / 0)

the minimal criteria for meeting would be to demonstrate a willingness to meet half way.

That could encompass any number of factors, depending on the issue at hand, and depending on the enemy.

A reasonable person making a reasonable request is able to recognize a reasonable response.


by phoenixdreamz on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 08:06:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I think the point is... (none / 0)

McCain couldn't give a rabbit's behinder about meeting with Iran, preconditions or not.

His diplomacy is guns, not words.


In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.
by Dracomicron on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 09:57:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (none / 0)

To be honest, I'm not that suprised at all. Americans are tired of unecessary wars and would like to see a new kind of approach to foreign relations.

The Republican number though is rather interesting. I have a feeling we're going to have quite a few crossovers in the General.


Users who are excessively bashing the Democratic Party, or being Republican trolls, will be banned.
by Massadonious on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 06:54:12 AM EST

Yes. There should be quite a few (none / 0)

Republicans that are genuinely horrified at the prospect of McCain handling defense and foreign policy, and these are supposed to be his pet issues...


by Fairy Tale on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 07:06:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. En (2.00 / 1)

well, as I always stated, diplomacy is not for your friends, despite what GWB believes it to mean

when you sit down with friends, it is called chatting or having a beer.

diplomacy is using, well, for a lack of a better word, Diplomacy!!!  Sorry about that - I felt like GWB with his sovereign nations bit.  Let's see if I can find a better definition

Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states.

well no WONDER this admin failed.  Art and practice  - none of those things apply to BushCO.


by colebiancardi on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 08:51:11 AM EST

Re: Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. En (2.00 / 1)

I'll believe this means something relevant to presidential politics when I see a poll on the following question:

Do you think the next U.S. president should commit to meet with the top leaders of Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Venezuala in the first year of office without any preconditions?


by markjay on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 08:57:29 AM EST

Re: Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. En (none / 0)

Neither Obama or Hillary think that.  Obama has clarified his position.  


by colebiancardi on Mon Jun 02, 2008 at 09:17:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.

Login
Username:

Password: