A majority of Americans disapprove of President Barack Obama's handling of the terror group Islamic State (ISIS), while 78 percent back a new authorization for use of military force against ISIS, according to a new
CNN/ORC poll.
The poll found 57 percent don't like how Obama is handling the threat posed by ISIS and 58 percent think American military action against the group is going badly. In the fall, both those numbers were at 49 percent.
Fifty-seven percent also disapprove of Obama's handling of foreign affairs overall, and 54 percent disapprove of how Obama is handling terrorism.
CNN notes that Obama's declining poll numbers come as violent events unfold. This weekend, two shootings in Denmark targeted a cartoonist who had illustrated the prophet Mohammed and a synagogue. Also, Egypt launches airstrikes against ISIS in Libya over the beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians.
Almost half – 46 percent – of people who identify as members of Obama's own party told pollsters the fight against ISIS isn't going well.
Just more than half – 51 percent – of all respondents think Obama is doing a good job as commander-in-chief.
More people now support sending American ground troops to fight ISIS, according to the poll. In November, only 43 percent were in favor and 55 percent opposed. The number of those supporting is now at a record-high 47 percent with only half opposing.
There is a party split on the issue, with 61 percent of Democrats opposing ground troops and a similar number of Republicans supporting the idea. Independents are about evenly split, with 48 percent favoring ground troops and 50 percent opposing.
Seventy-eight percent of Americans favor Congress giving Obama a new authorization of use of military force against ISIS, down slightly from 82 percent in December.
The poll was conducted with 1,027 adult Americans Feb. 12-15, and and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
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