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Who Does the Public Support on National Security?

The shifting tide of public opinion on who best protects our nation.

By Ruy Teixeira
June 9, 2009

Conservatives used to think that they had an ironclad advantage on national security. But that advantage failed to save them in the 2008 election. And now it seems like their advantage might be turning into a disadvantage. President Barack Obama has been pursuing a progressive approach to our nation’s foreign policy that provides a sharp break with the belligerent, go-it-alone practices of the Bush administration. The result has been a surge of support for this new foreign policy.

In a May Democracy Corps poll, 57 percent said they supported Obama’s national security policies, compared to just 30 percent who were opposed.

In the same poll, 58 percent endorsed the idea that America’s security depends on building strong ties with other nations, compared to 37 percent who believed America’s security depends on its own military strength.

While the public is embracing Obama’s progressive approach to national security, conservatives have been noticeably unenthusiastic. The most unenthusiastic of all has been former Vice President Dick Cheney, who has shown downright hostility to Obama’s initiatives. Indeed, he has repeatedly said that Obama’s actions are making the country less safe and that the Bush administration’s policies were far better.

What does the public think? Well, when asked in an early June Democracy Corps poll whether Obama or Cheney has better ideas for keeping the country safe, they chose Obama’s ideas over Cheney’s by 54-39.

Conservatives better get used to it. The public prefers the new, progressive approach to national security and has little interest in returning to the policies of the Bush administration in this area. And even conservatives’ best scare tactics aren’t going to change that situation.

Read more public opinion from Ruy Teixeira

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Comments

  1. In this time of fast-moving world, we should learn to explore new ideas. Citizens of USA would prefer progressive approach than the conservative approach that the Bush Administration used. Public awareness is now a need! Also, they should also be aware of their personal credit score. A person’s credit score is of vital importance in this day and age. It makes more difference than just about anything else, and according to Suze Orman; Hitler would be redeemable if his FICO score was high enough. However, some things don’t affect your credit score as much as others. For instance, your credit score and credit ratings are impacted by credit cards and any personal loan from a bank, and especially if any late fees are assessed. However, payday lenders don’t check your credit if you apply for any payday loans. Alternative short term financing doesn’t rely on credit scores for eligibility, so keep it in mind that your credit score doesn’t come into play with cash advances.

    — Connor X. - Jun 10, 02:39 AM - #

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