The recent terror killings in San Bernardino, Calif., and Paris have shaken the American public and now the percentage of people who say the government is doing a good job in the war on terror has hit the lowest point since 9/11, according to a new Pew Research Center poll.
In just the last few weeks, faith in the fight has dropped 26 points, from 72 percent to 46 percent, “and now stands at its lowest point in the post-9/11 era,” said Pew.
And despite his repeated claims that the administration is winning the war against ISIS, Pew said that Americans have less faith in President Obama too.
“Just 37 percent approve of the way Obama is handling of terrorism while 57 percent disapprove, the lowest rating of his presidency for this issue,” said Pew.
Terrorism has become the public’s No. 1 issue, surging from just 4 percent a year ago to 29 percent now.
Here the two key paragraphs summing up the public’s loss of confidence in Obama and his administration’s anti-ISIS effort:
The latest national survey by Pew Research Center, conducted Dec. 8-13 among 1,500 adults, finds that since the start of this year, the share of Americans who say the government is doing well in reducing the threat of terrorism has fallen by 26 percentage points – from 72% to 46% – and now stands at its lowest point in the post-9/11 era.
Approval of the way Barack Obama is handling the threat of terrorism also has declined, even as his overall job rating (currently 46%) — and his ratings on immigration, the economy and other issues — is little changed. Just 37% approve of the way Obama is handling terrorism while 57% disapprove, the lowest rating of his presidency for this issue.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
