Public Registers Stronger Support For White House Foreign Policy Than Domestic

Greg Sargent takes stock in another round of opinion polling and discovers that the public, in general, is more approving of the Obama administration's efforts in the foreign policy/national security arena than its work on domestic policies.

More approve of Obama's handling of international affairs (61%) and terrorism (57%) than they do of his handling of the economy (56%) and health care (53%), the two top domestic issues. More approve of Obama's handling of Iran (52%) than approve of his handling of the budget deficit (48%) and the auto giants (45%). Other recent polls have shown similar findings.

Some of this could reflect the enormity of our domestic challenges and the extent to which the public is focused on them. That said, a lot is going on internationally, too -- Obama is preparing to withdraw from Iraq, he's dealing with Iran, and he's closing Guantanamo. These policies are getting him attacked daily as weak on terror and indecisive in dealing with international crises.

Greg sizes this up as a "reminder that his election also represented a decisive victory in his argument with Republicans about national security and foreign policy issues" which, in his opinion, "goes a bit under-appreciated." For my part, I can't help but notice that the higher approvals are accruing in policy categories in which the White House has more room to act unilaterally. There's not much Congress can do to dictate how Obama projects his foreign policy (or military authority, their Constitutional role all but forgotten). And while I, personally, have a lot of concerns over Obama's approach to fixing the economy, that's another area where the White House has made use of broad authority to set policy.

So it seems to me that these numbers more or less bespeak an approval of basic civility and disapproval of partisan bickering, as opposed to a reflection of Obama's policies on the merits. As you get to the subjects with lower approval numbers, you can't help but notice the consistency with which they are areas in which grinding partisan battles have played out. I suppose I'm surprised that Obama's "handling Iran" numbers aren't higher, but then again, that's not a path that's running smoothly right now, either, and Americans can witness this themselves.

I think it's probably still too early for the public to gauge the effects of policies to form an approving/disapproving judgment, and so sentiment is simply gathering in support of less tension and less conflict. As for the contention that these numbers represent "a decisive victory in his argument with Republicans," well...that may be overstated. After all, part of Obama's "argument with Republicans" was about dismantling the unitary executive that President George W. Bush built in response to the terror attacks. If you followed Obama's campaign promises on those issues, and votes in approval of them, you'd be hard pressed to approve of the way Obama has pursued that line of argument since. And it's worth pointing out, that's an area in which he has the broad ability to act unilaterally.

But what do I know? Do you have any thoughts on the way public support for policies are lining up? I invite all to leave your thoughts in the comments!

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Comments

[ROinReno]

The fact is Government has no empathy for Main Street and that includes Obama, few if any have ever actually worked for a living, and constantly remind us if you want to remain in the middle class "get a degree".
There was a time when access to a middle class life was dependant on skills. One had simply to become a craftsman in a trade and his success was nearly guaranteed.
We continue to elect Lawyers who as I say have never worked a day in their life.
Obama may well end up as Carter did who won the Noble prize for brokering a peace between Egypt and Israel, but is and should be remembered as the President who repealed the usury laws that now has Main Street buried under a mountain of debt.
Obama is after all an attorney, it’s clear we expected too much.

[harriscrl3]

This is funny to me because I always knew this was Obama's strongest area even though this was the area he was bashed the most for during the campaign.

Carol

[wanked]

Obama foreign policy = bush foreign policy. I guess people approve more of his ineptitude overseas than his dismal performance here.

[raop]

Obama foreign policy = bush foreign policy.

Wow. Really bright, aren't you? Might help to watch Farid Zakaria GPS on CNN.

[PhilipTaylor]

It is simple:

$306 to Wall Street for every $1 to Main Street!

He must reverse these NUMBERS to regain our confidence!

Trickle Down Funding of Wall Street has done NOTHING for Main Street!

Change RESOURCES to Fund Main Street Manufacturing! See Results quickly!

[BARRY08]

If only the GOP tried to really be reasonable

if only they stop bearing grudges for having lost the elections and concentrated on our country's best interest like Our President is doing.... America would be on the mending
and the rest of the world would follow

but unfortunately those with nothing to add , always have the horri ble habit to make matters worse with their lack of sense

Most Americans are offended and ashamed of the GOP

how about that poll ???

[slowhand0728]

But the Stimulous passes? The administration got what it wanted to JUMP-START the economy, it is making that WORK that has been the problem. The average person is not seeing the 787 Billion do anything for them. and there lies the problem. Talking about how much worse it would be if not passed is not going over well, while unemployment heads for 10%.
Imagine the polling numbers if we hit 11% 12%???

[Ohsnap]

These polling places have never called me. And I doubt I'd respond if they called. Why? Because polls are worthless. They only measure what people are thinking that day. A series of polls of what people are thinking on a day, may in fact indicate a trend. But trends are also fickle...there was a poll that people though Republicans were more trustworthy on the economy than Obama...what, after they had done a pretty good job at defending the free market without acknowledging that there were trouble signs?

[slowhand0728]

Cant have it both ways, when the polling numbers say things you like to hear or believe then they are all of a sudden relevent and valid.

[BARRY08]

political ax to grind = Mr Magooooooooo
sad fellow, instead of keeping quite and letting our President do what he has to do

McCain is and always will be ANTI AMERICAN

do not like to admit it but i will concede that Hillary is kind of doing what she is suppose to

smile ! that hurt

[WorkingClass]

Who is that peasant woman with the president?

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

LOL!

(I'm wondering where PUMAann is?....she hasn't posted anything tonight.)

[december30]

Everyday I hear about these "Polls" . I along with so many others have never been polled. How come? Some Americans are doing everything humanly possible to undermine President Obama and are wishing for his failure. People, we are in such a mess. This is not the time for any of us who loves this Country to stop supporting our President. And, too, there are so many Americans who cannot accept the fact that President Obama is President of the United States of America. So I say to all those dead beat Americans, if you are an American Barack Obama is your President. Like it or leave it.

[genia]

Come on...these polls are losing credibilit­y....Washi­ngton Post? 1001 "random" calls...?
I just don't buy it.
The republicans keep showing polls that Obama is slipping ...the public will assume it's true and follow thought....it's just normal. These polls are being released by the right and are meant to influence opinion ...and it works.
Keep chipping away at this good man and the sicko right will be back in command...
God help us all iof that happens.

[VikingQuest]

As a guy that thinks Obama is mostly hype and no substance, I think he is right on the Iran situation . . .

[Sweetbay]

I find it interesting that the REAL experts believe that the President is handling this situation exactly right.

The REAL experts are the career diplomats, prior secretaries and under secretaries of state, and people whose entire careers are spent overseas studying and writing about and advising heads of state in every country.

The only ones not agreeing with the President are the ones with a political ax to grind. That becomes increasingly obvious when they complain but offer no solutions. His words aren't tough enough, they complain. When asked, "What are the magic words you would like him to say?", they repeat the complaint. No answers.

What would they like him to do? No answers. Just keep repeating the complaint.

Our President gives me great confidence. I can't imagine anyone else in the world I would want in charge during these precarious times.

[mltmama]

I totally agree.

[dst1]

I'm in line right behind you.

[slowhand0728]

Has anyone noticed that the current administration likes to say things like, "The Majority of Economists...", "The majority of financial experts believe" or the opposite, "There are people that think we are on the wrong track...." or "There are those who will tell you that we can not do ....."
They like to talk in generalities, never specifically using or saying who they are talking about.
If they are talking about TV and Radio talking heads, has no creditibility since those people do not make policy or recommend to the President. So why bring it up?
My point is listen carefully to the rhetoric. And ask yourself, WHO exactly are they refering to? and why wont they point them out, good or bad?

[Emlyn]

The President is doing fine. But I don't think the Republicans are.

[jeanwny]

Every day the GOP finds a way to make themselves look more ridiculous and redundant. It does not seem possible for them to top themselves but each day they rise to the occasion. It will be disappointing if they ever get their s..t together. Not likely!

[Mscharizmaa]

Isn't that sort of a stretch.? The difference between 57% (terrorism) and 56% (economy) is 1 point.

Are you really trying to suggest that because of this one point difference there is more support for what he's doing on the foreign side versus domestic? Based on these numbers, really?

[klondiker]

That's exactly what I thought. The difference of a couple of percentage points probably falls under the margin of error. Definitely not enough to make such a sweeping judgement out of.

[ManwithaParachute]

I agree.