Republicans Expand Edge as Better Party Against Terrorism

[Purveyor]

GOP also holds advantage as party better able to keep country prosperous

by Frank Newport
September 11, 2014

PRINCETON, NJ -- The Republican Party has expanded its historical edge over the Democratic Party in Americans' minds as being better able to protect the U.S. from international terrorism and military threats. At this point, 55% of Americans choose the GOP on this dimension, while 32% choose the Democratic Party. This is the widest Republican advantage in Gallup's history of asking this question since 2002.



The latest update on this 12-year trend comes from Gallup's Sept. 4-7 Governance poll, finished just days before President Barack Obama's speech to the nation Wednesday night, in which he outlined his plans for addressing the challenges presented by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other international threats.

Republicans have held a perceptual edge on this question in all but two of the 12 years that it has been asked -- 2007 and 2012. The GOP's edge has been significant in many of the other years, although the 19-percentage-point gap measured in 2002, which was previously the largest, is eclipsed by this year's 23-point Republican edge.

The strong Republican advantage this year is most likely related to the increasing news coverage of ISIS and its beheadings of two American journalists. Although the Obama administration has initiated air attacks against terrorist positions in Iraq, the president's widely quoted comments that he had "no strategy" for dealing with the issue may help explain why Americans have become less likely to say the Democrats could better protect the U.S. from terrorism and military threats.

more...

http://www.gallup.com/poll/175727/republicans-expand-edge-better-party-against-terrorism.aspx

[hollowdweller]

1. The second question at that link

Is the one that puzzles me.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. You mean, about prosperity?

Yeah, I have no clue. There is so much real evidence to the contrary.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. All I can say is:

Are the respondents insane?

[flpoljunkie]

5. Blame the media who give so much airtime to Rethugs who repeat the Obama's dithering meme

John McCain has been on the Sunday shows more than anyone and Lindsay Graham comes in at number two. Plus, the media has many more Rethugs on daily who repeat the Obama's dithering meme and other words that imply weakness on foreign policy.

It's enough to make you tear your hair out.

[geek tragedy]

4. voters are idiots. once you understand that, politicians' behavior makes a lot more sense

and, the only people dumber than voters are those who don't vote.

[Dawson Leery]

6. The majority of this country are ignorant.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Gallup is a rightwing outfit. I wouldn't trust their numbers. My opinion only.

[Purveyor]

8. Perhaps but our chances of holding the Senate are slim to none. This lastest

war endeavor will keep many Democratic voters, i.e. youth to say 'fuck it'...what's the use.

Just saying...

[Kablooie]

10. Yep. It won't change a single conservative vote but will eliminate many Democratic ones.

Smart move.

[Kablooie]

9. I give up.

The Republicans are so much better running the country in every way.

The fact that they were in charge when the worst terrorist attack in history was not prevented and they caused the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression were just abberations.

They are obviously much better at protecting against terrorists and creating a flourishing economy.