A new CNN/ORC International Poll released today confirms prior polls, most recently the ABC/Washington Post poll of last week. Americans convincingly oppose U. S. airstrikes, or other involvement, in Syria. Unlike other polls, this one also measures support for and opposition to the Use of Force Resolution that President Obama has requested from Congress. Here are some of the results.
Describing the Use of Force Resolution as limited to 60 to 90 days and barring the use of U. S. troops in combat, respondents are 59% to 39% opposed to Congress passing the resolution.
Even if Congress passes the Resolution, a majority still oppose air strikes by 55% to 43%.
On the question of whether the President should proceed with air strikes if Congress rejects the Resolution, the public is 71% to 27 % opposed.
By a 3 to 1 margin those who oppose air strikes say it would impact their vote in the next election, 31% to 11%, with 57% saying it would make no difference.
On one critical question, the survey asked if respondents thought air strikes would achieve significant goals. By a margin of 72% to 26% the respondents said no.
Here is the CNN article on the poll. And here is a pdf of the poll results . The polls involved just over 1000 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3%.
UPDATE: Pew now joins CNN/ORC announcing that opposition to air strikes has surged in the past week. Pew Report here . Here’s an excerpt:
Over just the past week, the share of Americans who oppose U.S. airstrikes in Syria has surged 15 points, from 48% to 63%, as many who were undecided about the issue have turned against military action. By contrast, the share of Americans who support airstrikes remains virtually unchanged: Just 28% favor U.S. military airstrikes against Syria in response to reports that its government used chemical weapons.
Graphic via shutterstock.com
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.