Poll: Terrorism fears are fading
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/02/art.poll.gi.jpg
caption="Mourners throw flowers in a reflecting pool at Ground Zero."]
(CNN) - As Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama battle over who has the best approach to national security, a new CNN poll finds Americans' concerns about terrorism have hit an all-time low for the post-September 11 era.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday, 35 percent of Americans believe a terrorist attack somewhere in the United States is likely over the next several weeks. The figure is the lowest in a CNN poll since the al Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington, which killed nearly 3,000 people.
Between 2002 and 2006, summertime polls typically showed that a majority of Americans believed that a terrorist attack was likely. Last summer, that figure dropped to 41 percent. This summer, it dropped another six points.
The new CNN poll also indicates that the war in Iraq remains deeply unpopular. Only three in ten voters favor the war, while 68 percent oppose it.
Similarly, only a third of voters would like to see the next president keep the same number of troops in Iraq that are currently stationed there.
For McCain, who is seeking to highlight his national security credentials and has staunchly defended the U.S. presence in Iraq, the latest poll results may not be viewed in a positive light.
"Senator McCain's greatest strength is in foreign policy, particularly his reputation as the candidate best able to fight the war on terror," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.
"As the threat of a terrorist attack continues to recede in the mind of the American voter, the state of the economy and other domestic issues are likely to become even more important. That would be good news for Senator Obama, since the Democrats currently beat or tie the Republicans on every issue
except terrorism."
Another potential problem for McCain may be found in President Bush's latest job approval ratings.
According to the new survey, only 30 percent of Americans approve of how Bush is handling his job, while 68 percent of Americans disapprove of Bush's job performance. These numbers are roughly consistent with the president's approval ratings over most of the last two years.
These numbers also reinforce the need for the presumptive Republican nominee to create an impression of distance and distinction between himself and Bush. Democrats, on the other hand, are eager to tie McCain to the unpopular outgoing Republican president and portray his possible election as the
equivalent of a third Bush term.
The poll, conducted June 26-29, surveyed 906 registered voters and carries a sampling error of 3.5 percentage points.
terrorist attacks... what is a terrorist anyway? Somebody wearing a turban according to the Republicans. And by the way...
YOU CAN'T HAVE A WAR ON TERRORISM... IT'S ABSTRACT... NOBODY CAN LINK IT TO ANY SINGLE GROUP OR PERSON!!!
YOU IDIOTS THAT WANT MCCAIN IN OFFICE STILL DON'T GET IT DO YA.
McCain is an old Republican pervert JUST LIKE MOST OF THE REPUBS. His wife is half his age. Palaease... you must understand any man that bangs a wife half his age and couldnt find a women even remotely around his age to love is a selfish wannabe bigot. 10 years is the limit if you cant find a women 10 years younger and you have to dig deeper your nothing but a pervert just like the dogs in the Vatican.
Less fear of terrorism? Could it have anything to do do with our war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just maybe it's better to take the battle to them, rather than have them bring it here?
Obama SAYS he would pull out the troops. The terrorist would be knocking on our door again. When you are perceived as weak, you are weak.
McCain 08-
Substance over Hype
The co-host of a recent top-dollar fundraiser for Sen. John McCain oversaw the payment of roughly $1.7 million to a Colombian paramilitary group that is today designated a terrorist organization by the United States.
Now this is news... not some fist bump.. Get on the good foot CNN
Gail..check out who McCain REALLY is. He was married when he was captured, and it wasn't to Cindy. He had a beautiful wife, his age, who waited 5 years until he was released. Unfortunately, Carol got in a car accident while is was in captivity and she wasn't the same girl physically that he left ,so he dumped her...NICE GUY..
You had better 'Wake up".... They are about to start any time your
' asleep on the job'.... Don't get complacent, you may regret it....
Wo betide you if the Democrats get in the White House..... All Hell breaks loose.....
who is afraid of the big bad wolf, not us voters so mcsain get over the fear factor, did not work for hillary and will not work for you
campaign on real issues please/ bad enough to be a war mongrel, don't try to be a fear mongrel
They might be fading, but I think the Republicans are going to make sure to give them another kick start with conerns about Iran. That's the talk all day from the McCain camp. I wish we could help every country around the world but at some point we need to take care of HOME. We have problems here we need to address seriously. We need OUR troops to be safe and well taken care of. We need time to mend our armed forces which are spread thinly already. We as a country right now cannot afford financially or physically to have another war going on, we just can't. That is my fear with McCain because he is a military man I believe he will be apt to start a war with Iran if he is elected. I hope this would not be the case but I don't think I wanna take the chances either!
YOu guys are funny. McCain was a POW, and he served his country. He's no more a hereo than I or anyone else whom are presently in the military and took an oath to defend this country. You have to look at this country and it's history. Blacks were not allowed to fight or serve initially, women were not allowed in combat the list goes on. The General states that being a POW does not give you an ordained right to be President, nor does it qualify you any more or less..same as being first lady..did she serve in the military? did Obama? Hell, Reagan was an actor turned governor turned President..so all the moaning and griping about qualifications are mute to me.
People forget easily.
That is when they will attack....when we aren't looking or caring.
Who are these people... I understand you guys want to win but at what cost... whatever
. . . because when we're most complacent, the enemy will strike again. We (and our government) must be vigilant every single day. We're dealing with fanatics who will strap explosives on their 6-month old infant.
On another note, yesterday I watched a program about six POW's from the same Vietnam prison where John McCain was tortured for 5-1/2 years. They recounted the unbelievable horrors they endured - some for 7 years! Each of them said the experience made them better, stronger, and prouder than ever of America. Each of them became successful once they returned home, two in public office. Each of them reminded me of how fortunate we will be to have a man like John McCain lead our great country.
Thank you, American war heroes, past and present.
Happy Birthday, America!
The current state of our economy is a bigger threat to national security than terrrorism, are we paying attention or trying to create fear by talking about terrorism, fuel costs has skyrocketed, the housing market is stagnate, plant closures. The oil industries pricing is an act of terrorism, the subprime situation falls into the same category, terrorism isn't just bombs and guns. Let's take inventory.
That's too bad, because when we're most complacent, the enemy will strike again. We (and our government) must be vigilant every single day. We're dealing with fanatics who will strap explosives on their 6-month old infant.
On another note, yesterday I watched a program about six POW's from the same Vietnam prison where John McCain's was tortured for 5-1/2 years. They recounted the unbelievable horrors they endured - some for 7 years! Each of them said the experience made them better, stronger, and prouder than ever of America. Each of them became successful once they returned home, two in public office. Each of them reminded me of how fortunate we will be to have a man like John McCain lead our great country.
Thank you, American war heroes, past and present.
Happy Birthday, America!
Too bad so many people lose their sense of vigiliance. I'm sure many of the victims woke up on 9/11 and never had a clue as to their fate, but hindsight is 20/20. Polls such as that one makes me think of the old phrase "chance favors the prepared mind."
I care about terrorism. But I also care about the fact that I lost my job 2 years ago this month and still haven't found another job. I also care about the fact that I'm living in my foreclosed house. In the scheme of things, terrorism is important. But even if terrorists attacked us again on our soil, unless they attack in my hometown, I
Illegal immigrants have done more damage to this country than Bin Laden & Co. ever did, or will.
That fear is fading is understandable. What is not understandable is liberals absolute refusal to give a Republican administration credit. Pelosi, Reid–yawn, yawn.
well, if most Americans are no longer afraid of a terrorist attack, that would mean SOMEONE is doing SOMETHING right. maybe "McSame" isn't such a bad choice after all.
they will start testing the waters soon, they let us get complacent and then it starts all over again
Griff July 2nd, 2008 10:25 am ET
You had better 'Wake up"…. They are about to start any time your
' asleep on the job'…. Don't get complacent, you may regret it….
Wo betide you if the Democrats get in the White House….. All Hell breaks loose…..
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Thats right you mental midget we should all be very very afraid OOOOO!!! no one can protect us like the republicans OOOOOOOO....Fear...
The real hardworking,blue-collar,everyday Americans don't fear anything.With everything that's going on in the world today(economy,gas prices,war,terrorism)we remain steadfast in our optimism,because history has shown us that we will and always have bounced back!!
Americans have quit fearing terrorism because just as we always do, we get complacent and then arrogant in thinking nothing can happen to us.
I don't particularly like President Bush and I didn't originally support the war in Iraq, but I do think that the world saw a tough America that wasn't afraid to go in and bomb a country and depose it's leader, even if it probably wasn't the right one.
Future terrorists don't need to worry....while Obama sits waiting for a phone call from them to "talk" about things, they can go ahead and plan and attack.
I care about terrorism. But I also care about the fact that I got laid off 2 years ago this month and still haven't found work. I care about the fact that I'm living in my foreclosed home with no hot water because I can't even afford a program with the gas company. I care about the fact that I can't afford to move out of this dying city but I can't afford to stay. And if there is another terrorist attack on our soil, my other cares still won't have been addressed. I'm so sick of this Republican b.s. John McCain doesn't even remember the last time he pumped gas. He cannot relate to me. Barack Obama just paid off his student loans within the past few years. THAT, I can relate to.