An overwhelming 71 percent of Americans support airstrikes against the terrorist Islamic State group and 65 percent want expanded U.S. strikes, according to a new poll released Tuesday.
The ABC News/Washington Post poll found growing support for military action, with 90 percent of U.S. voters describing the Islamic State group as a “serious threat.”
Support of expanding airstrikes spans the political spectrum, with backing by 74 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of Democrats.
Support for arming Kurdish fighters who oppose the Islamic militants has climbed 13 points, to 58 percent, in just the past month — another move that President Obama has resisted as the Islamic State group has grown stronger.
As Mr. Obama prepares to address the nation Wednesday to outline a strategy against the terrorist army that has overrun large swaths of Iraq and Syria, the opinion of his leadership skills has sunk to a new low in the poll.
Americans are particularly critical of Mr. Obama’s handling of international affairs.
Just 38 percent approve of Obama’s leadership on the word stage, an 8 percentage points drop since July and a record low approval in the poll’s measurement on that issue.
What’s more, 52 percent say Mr. Obama has been too cautious in response to the Islamic State group, also know as ISIL or ISIS.
Overall, Americans 52-42 percent view Mr. Obama’s presidency as a failure.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.