Rasmussen questioned American voters about Barack Obama's trip overseas and 32 percent believe that he will not learn anything in Iraq with 40 percent believing that despite this being a "fact finding" trip, he went there with his mind already made up.
Obama on Tuesday at a press conference in Jordan defended his plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq over a 16-month period. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, with whom he met, opposes a timeline of any kind, but Obama said more forces are needed in Afghanistan. He outlined these positions in the days prior to his visit to Iraq.
The partisan divide is clear throughout the new survey. The responses of self-designated Democrats and likely Obama voters generally mirror their candidate’s actions and positions, although at times very narrowly. Republicans and likely voters for John McCain support the GOP candidate much more emphatically.
53 percent of the respondents do not approve of a candidate making statements contrary to government policy while in a war zone with only 29 percent believing it is alright to do so. 18 percent of those questioned were not sure.
When broken down by party affiliation, the release shows that 74 percent of Republicans believe that a candidate should not make statements contrary to government policy while in a war zone and 38 percent of Democrats agree with the Republicans on that issue as does 50 percent of unaffiliated voters. 40 percent of Democrats disagree.
45 percent of Americans believe Obama is not experienced enough to become the president while an equal number believe he is experienced enough.
That 45 percent that believe he is too inexperienced has risen from 41 percent believing that, in just the last week.
A plurality of Americans, 47 percent, believe that a candidate should have military experience to direct a war with 38 percent stating it doesn't matter. 15 percent say they are not sure.
You can see the actual survey questions with the percentages listed here.
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