More than half of American voters believe the Russian government interfered with the 2016 presidential election and support the sanctions former President Barack Obama imposed on Russia before he left the White House, a new Quinnipiac University poll released Monday shows.
According to a poll of 1,190 voters surveyed nationally between Jan. 20-25:
- 53-39 percent believe Russia interfered with the election.
- 56-30 percent support the sanctions.
- 76 percent of those who support the sanctions want even tougher sanctions.
- 67 percent say alleged Russian interference is a "very important" or "somewhat important" issue.
- 68 percent want the matter investigated.
- 46-9 percent say Russia is an ally.
- 41 percent say Russia is neither an ally nor an adversary.
"Beware the Russian bear, say American voters, most of whom believe the Kremlin meddled in the U.S. presidential election," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
"President Donald Trump is too friendly with Russia and voters say 2-1 they would rather have Congress, not the president, handle future relations with Russia. Should we let bygones be bygones?" Malloy said.
"Absolutely not, say Americans, who want an investigation and tougher sanctions."
In separate questions, voters:
- Support investigations into potential links between President Donald Trump's campaign advisors and the Russian government, 62 - 32 percent.
- 49 percent said Trump is "too friendly" with Russia.
- 3 percent said he is "too unfriendly."
- 43 percent said he has the right attitude towards Russia.
- Trust Congress more than Trump, to handle America's policy towards Russia, 60 - 29 percent.
- Have a 70 - 9 percent unfavorable opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Say by 78 - 8 percent that Putin was not democratically elected.
Other questions surveyed respondent's opinions about Trump when it comes to Mexico and NATO:
- 53 percent of American voters say said Trump is "too unfriendly" towards Mexico; 42 percent say he has the right attitude.
- 44 percent say he is "too unfriendly" toward NATO allies; 42 percent say he has the right attitude.
The survey carried a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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