WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new national poll suggests that that nearly three out of four Americans don't want the U.S. directly intervene in the election crisis in Iran even though most Americans are upset by how the Iranian government has dealt with protests over controversial election results.
More than eight in ten questioned in the CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, released Monday, think the election results released by the Iranian government were a fraud, with just one in ten believing the results were accurate. But only three in ten respondents say they are personally outraged by the results, with another 55 percent upset by not outraged.
Most Americans approve of how President Obama's handled the situation. And 74 percent think the U.S. government should not directly intervene in the post-election crisis, with one out of four feeling that Washington should openly support the demonstrators who are protesting the election results.
"Some 56 percent say that Obama's criticism of the Iranian regime has been about right. Only a third say that he has not gone far enough in his comments about the situation in Iran," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "If the number who are outraged by what's going on Iran were higher, we would probably see a higher number of Americans who say that Obama has not been tough enough on the leaders of that country."
"Interestingly, older Americans are more likely to be outraged. They may have bitter memories of the American hostages held by Iran for more than a year in 1979 and 1980," said CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.
Iran's electoral oversight group, the Guardian Council, announced Monday it has confirmed the findings of the June 12 elections that gave incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad an overwhelming victory, state-run Press TV reported.
After lead opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi and his supporters rejected the official results as rigged and hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets nationwide, the Guardian Council set up a committee to do a recount of about 10 percent of the votes cast. At least 17 protesters have been killed in the often violent protests, according to official statistics, and the actual number may be higher.
Sixty-one percent of people questioned in the poll say they approve the way President Barack Obama's responded to the events in Iran, with 36 percent disapproving of the actions the president's taken. The 61 percent approval on Iran is equal to Obama's overall approval rating as president.
"Democrats and Independents support Obama on this issue," Holland said. "Republicans do not, and they are most likely to say that he should be tougher on Iran."
"
The President has calibrated his comments to the Iranian government's increasing repression of the election protesters," said Schneider.
"It's not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling in Iranian elections," said Obama on June 16.
"He was cautious at first, but eventually outraged," added Schneider.
"The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous, and despite the government's efforts to keep the world from bearing witness to that violence, we see it and we condemn it," the persident also said on June 26.
More than four in ten think Iran represents a very serious threat to the United States, with another 36 percent feeling that Iran is a moderately serious threat. Thirteen percent say Iran is just a slight threat and 7 percent say it poses no danger to the U.S.
Even though nearly eight in ten consider Iran a serious or moderate threat, the poll suggests that a vast majority of Americans, 82 percent, don't think the government should take military action against Iran.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted Friday through Sunday, with 1,026 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
From CNN Politics
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Let's see the questions - just another biased poll by the liberal media.
It doesn't matter, REPUBLICANS continue to IGNORE the voices of the American people. The GOP is ALL about interfering. They LOVE starting wars and chaos. That's the MO for the GOP, they are DEAF, DEAF, DEAF.
Not surprising.
Even if we thought had to intervene, eight years of Bush has made the US so weak and so despised around the world that the United States couldn't afford to intervene in Iran if we thought our lives depended on it.
But the fact is that we cannot afford to intervene every time some makes us mad. In fact, in the past whenever we have intervened it has come back to bite us (e.g., we supported Al Qaeda against the Soviet Union and Saddam Hussein against Iran).
Duh.
People don't want us to 'Intervene', just let the people in Iran know that America is behind anyone who thirsts for freedom.
Meanwhile, Obama is busy 'Intervening' in Honduras, and lying about it also.
I want the US to interfere. Get Ahmedinajad out of office, overthrow the mullahcracy and let the people have their freedom.
Iran doesn't want us interfering.
Do we plan to invade them too ?
Where would the military come from ? For people who think this is the thing to do, are they willing to get in line and sign up for the military ?
If we get the military,
where do we get the money to finance another war ?
We have to learn to stay out of the business of wanting to run other countries the way we run ours.
Let Iran take care of their own problems.
Americans are smart enough to know that intervening in another nation's is not in our nature.
It's only the party of "NO," the republicans, who can't quite grasp this concept. Thank heaven Bush is out of office, or our already deleted military would be heading into Tehran to overthrow the Iranian government.
Our president believes in diplomacy, negotiations and striving for peace with other countries. Thank God he is leading our country.
The republicans believe in hot air, strutting before the cameras and
trying to run the world. If Mccain had been elected, with his "bomb,
bomb Iran" mentallity it is hard telling what would be happening.
We certainly cannot afford and will not tolerate another misguided war.
The republicans need to just go away.
This just proves even more that the Republican party is out of touch with mainstream America. They went all over the media saying the President should intervene, should get involved, etc., hoping it would help restore their image and make President Obama look weak. Instead, most Americans agree that while what happened in Iran is disgraceful, the United States has enough to worry about at home without wasting time and money interfering in the elections of a sovereign nation. We wouldn't want them interfering here if they did not like who we elected!
OK...this is embarassing.....but I do think Obozo is correct in not intervening.......but the idea that he can negotiate on equal terms with the oppressive dictatorship is now off the table............U S can not legitimize this government.
Ahmadinejad stirs up fear of the US in order to get his way when the people protest the election. (CIA killed Neda?! Come on.)
Cheney / Bush stir up fear of terrorism to get their way for a dubious war against Iraq.
Adolf Hitler stirs up fear of Jews to build his power in 1930's Germany.
And so history repeats itself. Fearmongering is a universal political tool to control your mind. People learn but mankind does not.
No one is for military adventure. But due to lethargic response and confusing message of obama in the early stages of the protest, the momentum was lost. Now, the uprising is almost dead and if it fails, it would be Obama's Failure to use this situation to over throw the Iranian president.
So we shouldn't have interfered in Kuwait or Kosovo or Somalia either, I guess.
You neo-libs can't manage one independent, critical, thought.
But at least your new god could try to agree with his role-models - FDR and JFK - by supporting democratic ideals instead of the clerics, mullahs, and dictator kings, to whom he bows and supplicates.
Yeah, most Americans want to throw the freedom loving voters in Iran under the bus. That's why we have Obama in the White House; not enough freedom supporters in this back-slidden country.
That is correct, Iran needs to handle Iran! Obama please do not feed into the GOP, they are not on your team! If you do what they say, it will be very bad. Them the short term memory GOP will blame it on you!
It's all that interference in other countries that has caused so much hatred of America. Obama is correct in keeping out of this and other countries' messes.
Bush and Chenny would have voted the opposite. Forced freedom is the answer. What a joke those 2 were and are. 4200 died for forced freedom.
Well, at least 72% of America still has the best interest of this country as the number one priority.
Too bad the limbaugh lemmings, the neo-con cabal and the domestic "christian" Taliban were doing their best to make sure America and President Obama fails by insisting we respond.
Your in the minority neo-con republiklans, get used to it!
The republicans tried pulling one of their many stunts over the past 2 weeks, yelling and screaming because Obama did not involve our country in Iran's crisis. Obama did exactly what he should have done, condemned the actions, but not get directly involved in the process. I am so glad we have a president with a brain that actually work! The republicans knew what the outcome would be, they thought they were setting Obama up to look like a fool and as usual, it did not work!
Get real.. I'm glad Obama's reaction has been constantly right on this. Everyone knows how much we can do.
Republicans seem to just love to kill people and force them to do what Republicans want. I say that we have had enough of that childish mindset. No more.
Of course the neo-cons disagree, they never want to pass up a chance to go to war!
The election in Iran was stolen and the current administration here is filled with a bunch of wussies
.... three out of four Americans don't want the U.S. directly intervene ...
Thats not the same as the headlines – "Americans don't want..." Apparently Sean Hannitty who represents the 1/4 thinks the President is being a wimp on Iran. Limbaugh would blast him for not initiating an outright invasion of Iran.
Lets bring real democracy and change to Iran. Invade NOW. They would welcome us as liberators. Its not for the oil, mind you, just good old democracy, you know. And of course possible WMDs, if thats convenient.
so what do we do then Obama worshippers and Liberals let Iran build nuclear weapons and hear Ahmadinejad threaten to wipe Israel off the map some more well its great to hear that the almight dollar in your pocket makes you happy and you can rest your head at night in your three story houses but when it comes to other nations such as Israel you turn the blind eye Hitler shadow is moving across the middle east and Obama is Chamberlin of 1938
Once again – who takes these polls and who is polled – acorn?
The World always saw 'America' as the leader and rescuer. However during Bush's era........they all hate America because we tried and tried to dictate 'our' views and 'our way of living" to other countries.
WRONG........... we should let the countries deal with their own issues and support them in a different way, without dictating them like Bush did!
This means John McCain and you right-wing nuts were wrong again. Ha!
hey new yorker-
why don't you move to texas and secede with the rest of the hate filed right wing wackos. that way the 70million people that voted against guys like you and your angry party do not have to listen to your irrational crap
Ironically I'm sure Republicans would be screaming to leave Iran alone if Obama said that we should intervene.
I wonder how Americans would respond...
Mccain got it wrong again that why is his not the president.
Mr Schneider: President Obama reacted, as he should have, to what was happening in Iran. He was neither "cautious" as he was waiting as was the saner members of the world to see what would happen within Iran; even the opposition and protestors of the election were hopeful.
As events took place and as the Iranian gov't acted with brutal and dictatorail and brutal power, Pres. Obama reacted with outrage as did people inside and outside of Iran, The President exactly how an intelligent, thoughtful leader of a foreign country should.
Why doesn't this analysis inculde the fact that the wreckless comments and criticism of Pres. Obama's reactied pushed by the CNN state that he chose the right course and you and the Republicans, once again, were wrong on foreign policy?
I want to get with John McInsane and his Yaya Sisters, Lindsey Graham and Joe LIEberman and invade Russia, Somalia and Iran. I say, if contries don't agree with us... make up an excuse, i.e., "WMD's," and send in the troops.
And 74 percent think the U.S. government should not directly intervene in the post-election crisis, with one out of four feeling that Washington should openly support the demonstrators who are protesting the election results.
This is why the Republicans lost becasue they are warmongers.
Rob June 29th, 2009 3:57 pm ET
This means John McCain and you right-wing nuts were wrong again. Ha!
_____________________________________________________
No, it means CNN knows who to poll. Demography is relative.
@Ranjit – It is not Obama's place to overthrow the Iranian president. Iranians need to work things out themselves. And if Mousavi is succesful in overthrowing Ahmedinejad, that doesn't leave us in a better position in terms of international relations. Do you think the new regime is going to forgo the pursuit of nuclear power and weapons? Do you think the new regime will no longer consider Israel or the Sunnni neighbors a threat.
Just shows how important our last election was. The out of tough GOP could be making the calls on this....scary.
THANK YOU AMERICA! Haven't we intervened enough in the Middle East??? For years, the U.S. supported both with weapons AND money the Shah of Iran, and his reign of TERROR, on the people of Iran!
The people overthrew the shah and look at what they got! Theocracy!
Now the people are out in the streets protesting and speaking up for their Freedom!
The U.S. can not afford to continue to be the world's policeman, we have enough problems at home to deal with!
Freedom is not Free! And Democracy can not be IMPORTED!
Some of these neo-cons had no problem with the rigging of the 2000 election in this country. Suddenly, they care about democracy.
Cowboy diplomacy is dead. The American people have woken up.
@ ABMiller....... We can not afford to intervene! Also, the GOPers like to saber-rattle but HOW can you REALLY help Iran?!
Democracy can not be imported nor demanded, it must be born in the hearts and minds of the Iranian people or it will not take root!
I so confused how so many people think we have a say so in the matter of Iran's leadership. Even during all the protest coverage (or after), I didn't once, see an interview or information from protestors or protest leaders asking for the US (or anyone else) to intervene. Or did I miss it?
Mississippi Mike, are you enlisting for the war in Iran? If not, shut up.
The Iranians know that whatever the Ayatolah says, goes. Therefore, even though the recount was of 10% of the votes, it doesn't matter. And what would an American influence do- create an Iranian electoral college? The popular vote is used as part of a backup system in the event of an electoral draw. It's also legal to buy college votes. John Quincy Adams was the first, and then we got Bushed!
Why are we is so concerned about Iran's elections????????
We need to take care of our own problems of:
1. Economy
2. Health Care
3. Wars
4. Unemployment
5. Crimes, Homicides and Gang Violence
Obama victim: You have been lamenting ever since Pres. Obama won the elections but you earn credit for giving Obama a sort of good grade this time even though you won't quit calling him "Obozo" . I trust you will give him at least another six months because eight years of manure is a lot to heave away overnight.
Anyway, I too think we have to tread very carefully on this matter. I said in a previous post that if America stuck its nose in Iraq's business, it would be criticized and if not it would still be criticized. Darned if you do and darned if you don't!!! What did I tell you?
@ willy brown: The election was stolen right here in American on Nov. 4, 2000 so your point is irrelevant! We have problems of our own including 2 wars and the potential problems with N. Korea, we can't be at war with everybody at the same time, wake up!
President Obama handled the Iranian election very well, despite all the criticism from the now defunct Republican party.
We'll see as our forces withdraw from the cities of Iraq that we never should have started that war either. I suspect everything will go back to the way it was in 2002 before our invasion.
These countries do not want us involved in their Muslim affairs.
I would be for intervention but unfortunately the Bush administration has disintegrated any cache we had concerning middle east meddling with that fake war in Iraq
my opinion for obama he should not dispute the result of the iranian election,all i want him doing he should press iran govt.to hear out the massive protect and stop molestation of it own citizen.no war
ABMiller,
How is Kuwait, Kosovo OR Somalia ANYTHING AT ALL like the Iranian situation????? Typical GOP (non) thinking. You people are simply NOT SMART ENOUGH to even converse with!
We haven't interfered, but we have the right to voice our opinion.
Seriously, to all the people who are saying Obama is a 'wimp', what exactly do you think he should do?
This election was democratic and the Iranian government stole it from its own people. The people caught wind, and now the government is killing its own citizens for protesting. This, for once has nothing to do with the US, and Iranian government is looking for any reason to blame anyone but themselves.
A 'wimp'? Please! Those saying this are giving no plan (as usual) to do anything, only saying that nothing is being done. I know what Iran needs, tax cuts!
@ ABMiller, who said "just another biased poll by the liberal media."
Right...the same "liberal media" that prints the baseless repetition of historically failed policies spewed by the GOPers in their tired criticism of the first POTUS we've had in decades to at least try to take a new approach to these issues. That liberal media?
Keep on keepin on GOPers...doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is what's gotten us where we are with foreign policy (and, hint hint hint, it's what's gotten your party where it is...yet you keep doing it anyway).
Interestingly, older Americans are more likely to be outraged. They may have bitter memories of the American hostages held by Iran for more than a year in 1979 and 1980," said CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider.
We all know it is the older Amercians that are very bitter for one reason or another. It was the young people that got this President elected. Thanks GOD to the young generation of this country becasue without their votes we would have McCain/Palin in the White House.
I wonder where the copy editor was on this article. There are multiple typos and errors-very sloppy!
Why should we get involved? No one got involved in our stolen elections in 2000 or 2004. We need stay out of other countries busines and fix our own problems caused by the Bush / Cheney administration. REBUID OUR infrastructure and not Iraq's water and power plants we bombed in the first place.
matt-
You aren't very smart, are you? The pro-Hitler camp got voted out of office in November, but hey...nice try.
Why do you care if Israel is wiped off the map? Because someone told you you should? That's my guess. You and your friends are nothing more than pack-sniffers. Go away!
@ ABMiller, who said "just another biased poll by the liberal media."
Interesting. So every poll that disagrees with what you want to hear is biased, and every poll that agrees with you is not I take it? Maybe you should take a hard look at what you're basing this opinion on.
Mr Bush and company have squandered americas international prestige not to mention wearing out our military on two wars of which only one was really warrented.
It good to hear that most americans understand that we are not in position to interfere in any nations internal affairs, nor should we, even if we were able at this time.
It's funny how liberals think that you have to choose either nothing or war, just look at the comments. Obama said they should show restraint on protesters, Ahmedinajad scolded him for it, and he folded like a chair. He doesn't have to go to war, but he should speak up as the leader of the free world for the Iranian people. I also notice that the liberals still can't let go of 2000 and 2004. Maybe that's why you justify what acorn has done, or the black panthers at the Philly polls. You guys crack me up. Haha!
74% want the US to not intervene. So that means 26% does. Gee, I wonder what 26% of the population that is? Could it be the 26% that approved of Bush at the end of his term? Could it be the 26% that admit to being Republican/Conservative? Could it be the 26% that blindly disapproves of anything Obama does, be it spending money on the stimulus package or not having bacon on his burger?
Nah! Couldn't be.
Would we have allowed Iran to intervene in our 2000 elections when Florida stopped its recount?
lets just leave the Iranians to their own devices
As an aside, look at how the U.S. Government treated dissenters and demonstrators here in the 1960's. Anyone remember Kent State? The list is endless. It took us a long time to get where we are today.
@Paul from Kissimmee:Maybe that's why you justify what acorn has done, or the black panthers at the Philly polls. You guys crack me up. Haha!
======================================================What is funny is the republicans whining about Obama. Who can't let go of an election.
Now that cracks me up and for another 3+ years all we hear is whine..Whine..Acorn...Whine....
The Iranian people must be very naive to believe that any theocracy would conduct itself with respect for the citizens and not it's own distorted ideological views of the supernatural and metaphysical.
Obama has been exactly right in his handling of the Iranian affair.
What it showed me is how trigger-happy Republicans are, and how hastily they act without thinking of the consequences of their actions.
Already, because of their bluster, Iran is blaming America for the uprising.