COLLEGE PARK, Md., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Bush
and leaders of the new U.S. Congress have vowed to work together in a
bipartisan manner. But many observers are bracing for battles between
Democratic and Republican lawmakers over contentious questions such as the
conduct of the war in Iraq, the best way to contain Iran's nuclear
ambitions and how to deal with the North Korean threat.
Among members of the U.S. public, however, there is broad bipartisan
consensus about how foreign policy should be conducted. An analysis by
WorldPublicOpinion.org of major polls reveals agreement across party lines
on many of the most difficult issues facing policymakers today. Not only do
majorities of Democrats and Republicans favor a bipartisan approach to
foreign affairs in general, they also agree on specific policies to address
problems ranging from the turmoil in the Middle East to global warming.
Americans, moreover, support the key recommendations of the Iraq Study
Group.
This study includes a newly-released poll (conducted Dec. 6-11) by
WorldPublicOpinion.org/Knowledge Networks. In addition, it analyzes other
major findings by WPO, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and others.
Steven Kull, editor of WorldPublicOpinion.org, said the study showed
"sometimes it is easier for the public to find common ground than it is for
politicians."
"Should Democrats and Republicans in government aspire to find common
ground on foreign policy the American public can provide them with guidance
on a wide range of international issues," Kull said.
The following are some of the areas where WPO has found bipartisan
consensus:
-- WPO's new December poll finds that majorities favor withdrawing almost
all U.S. combat troops from Iraq by 2008 (Republicans 62 percent,
Democrats 88 percent) and that they believe the U.S. government should
clearly state it does not want permanent bases there (Republicans 65
percent, Democrats 81 percent).
-- Republicans and Democrats think the U.S. government should build better
relations with the Iran rather than try to change its behavior through
implied military threats (Republicans 56 percent, Democrats 88
percent).
-- Majorities think the United States should offer security guarantees to
North Korea (Republicans 61 percent, Democrats 82 percent) if the
government in Pyongyang is willing to eliminate its nuclear weapons
-- Republicans and Democrats favor legislation limiting U.S. emissions of
the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming (Republicans 61
percent, Democrats 82 percent).
The full report can be found on WorldPublicOpinion.org.
Contact: Steven Kull of WorldPublicOpinion.org, +1-202-232-7500
SOURCE WorldPublicOpinion.org
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Related links:
http://www.WorldPublicOpinion.org
CONTACT:
Steven Kull of WorldPublicOpinion.org,
+1-202-232-7500
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