Poll: Obama Libyan military action has low support by Americans
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Thursday, March 24, 2011 — A new Gallup poll shows that fewer than 50 percent of Americans approve of the Obama Administration’s action to use military force against Libya to help an international coalition enforce a no-fly zone over that country.
Forty-seven percent of those polled approved of the U.S. military intervention, which is the lowest support for a U.S. action by a president since 1983. The poll showed 37 percent of Americans oppose U.S. intervention in Libya.
Previous Gallup polls showed stronger support for previous U.S. military actions — and in some cases significantly higher support — than the current military action in Libya:
- 2011 – Libya: 47 percent approval (B.H.Obama)
- 2003 – Iraq: 76 percent approval (G.W.Bush)
- 2001 – Afghanistan: 90 percent approval (G.W. Bush)
- 1999 – Kosova/The Balkans: 51 percent approval (W.J. Clinton)
- 1998 – Afghanistan & Sudan: 66 percent approval (W.J. Clinton)
- 1994 – Haiti: 54 percent approval (W.J. Clinton)
- 1993 – Somalia: 65 percent approval (H.W. Bush)
- 1993 – Iraq: 83 percent approval (H.W. Bush)
- 1986 – Libya: 71 percent approval (R.W. Reagan)
- 1983 – Grenada: 53 percent approval (R.W. Reagan).
Gallup’s analysis of its latest poll suggests that the low approval rating may be tied to the fact that public opinion on military actions changes in response to progress (or lack of it) in current or recent military operations, which would include the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among the major political parties, Democrats and Republicans showed more support for the military action than Independents: Republicans led with 57 percent approval, Democrats with 51 percent approval, and finally Independents with 38 percent approval.
For more information this Gallup poll, click here to visit the website (a new window/tab will open).
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