CNN/ORC Poll: Majority say no to impeachment and lawsuit
Washington (CNN) - There’s not a lot of public appetite for a Republican push to sue President Barack Obama, or for calls by some conservatives to impeach him, according to a new national survey.
A CNN/ORC International poll released Friday morning also indicates that a small majority of Americans do not believe that Obama has gone too far in expanding the powers of the presidency.
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Earlier this month, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP's 2008 vice presidential nominee, called for Obama's impeachment, becoming the latest voice on the right to make the suggestion.
But according to the poll, only 35% want Obama impeached, with nearly two-thirds saying the President should not be removed from office.
There's an obvious partisan divide, with 57% of Republicans but only 35% of independents and 13% of Democrats backing a move to impeach Obama.
"Anti-impeachment sentiment is roughly where it was for past presidents - 67% opposed Bill Clinton's impeachment in September 1998, and 69% opposed impeaching George W. Bush when a few Democrats began talking about it in 2006," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
"One reason may be that Americans take impeachment very seriously. Only about one in five say that impeachment is a valid response if Congress is dissatisfied with a president's policies or the way he is handling his job. Nearly eight in 10 say impeachment should be reserved for high crimes and misdemeanors," Holland adds.
Senior Obama adviser on impeachment: 'I would not discount that possibility'
The poll's release came one day after the House Rules Committee approved – along a party line vote – a resolution authorizing Speaker John Boehner's lawsuit against the President. The GOP controlled House is expected approve it next week.
Boehner and House Republicans plan to sue Obama over his health care law. They claim he violated the Constitution by circumventing Congress and changing the law's employer mandate on his own.
By a 57%-41% margin, Americans say House Republicans shouldn't file the suit. As with the question on impeachment, there's a wide partisan divide over the lawsuit.
Boehner: Why we must now sue the President
When it comes to expanding the power of the presidency, has Obama gone too far? Forty-five percent say yes, with three in 10 saying the President's actions have been about right, and 22% saying he hasn't gone far enough.
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CNN Poll: Obama's numbers not great but holding steady
The poll was conducted for CNN by ORC International from July 18-20, with 1,012 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
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Presidents should only serve one term. This way they're improvements are deadlined.
Simple solution to immigration problem then... Toss the 33% out of the country and let those who want to live here replace them... Everyone wins!
Republicans have been screaming.....impeachment....since Day 1.
What else is new?
I find it shocking that so many people are in favor of impeachment. I don't support the President at all but don't think he should be impeached.
Somewhere Jimmy Carter is smiling from ear to ear as his administration is looking stronger and more competent all the time.
Because, Biden would be better?
To think impeachment is nuts. He didn't get us into an unjustified war (that killed thousands of Americans for crap). He kept us out of the Syria, and now Iraq mess. He brought health care to thousands who needed it who otherwise may have died because they couldn't afford it. Recognizes that global warming isn't a damn hoax (denial is not a strategy), said you can love anyone and that that state shouldn't tell you who to love. What the hell should he be impeached for. Looks like Fox news and ignorance is controlling at least 35% of Americans.
Impeachment of Obama is long overdue. Obama has been ignoring the laws of this country and the will of the people for for too long.
i'm sure the same "polls" showed Romney winning by a longshot.
Anybody who says Obama has not gone too far is simply happy with his agenda and ignoring the Constitution.
Impeach congress from gross roots. This Republican holding congress is the worst in history. They are eating you tax dollars, not cooperating to president. Fire all these congress thugs first. Yes, this president is doing EXCELLENT JOB.
People – if they impeach Obama, Biden becomes president. No one wants that.
Unless you can get rid of the entire administration, let's just leave well enough alone until the next election.
Impeach and sue Obama...!!!
Oops.. it's time for the congressional vacation
so us politicos will get back to you folks with more
gridlock and posturing after we've had a chance to
go back home and stuff our pockets with lobbyist money.
One third of the country still believe in fairy tales and invisible men in the sky. Clowns!
very disappointing to see 35 percent of Americans are willing to continue to pay Republicans to waste even more time instead of doing the job they were put in office to do. no wonder this country is screwed up. I remember hearing "jobs,jobs,jobs" but all they have done is block,block,block. If there is going to be any impeaching I suggest starting with house republicans. They have defrauded the people of this country like no other.
All this tells me is that 35% of those polled are uneducated, and don't have a clue of how the law works. Impeach him on what ground? That he is black and became POTUS anyway?
Impeachment is a complete waste of time at this point. The idea is stupid and the country should focus on solving problems and getting the economy back on track. The Republicans can expect the same negative winds when they elect their candidate. The pettiness is shameful.
What a terrible new trend. Of the past 3 presidents, 2 have had large calls by congress to impeach and 1 actually was! The terrible trend is not of "bad" presidents, but of congress thinking this is legitimate response to not liking the other party's positions. It's disgusting! No crimes have been committed by Clinton, Bush or Obama. Get over it, let the President do his job! If you don't like him, vote him/his party out next time.
What is wrong with the other 65%. Do they assume that Obama is a King and can do whatever he wants?
What price does one pay for NOT living up to the OATH of office one takes? There should be some sort of consequence for doing so. The only choice I see is the power of the voting booth. Take AWAY ones power to continue as they have been. Pelosi is no longer Speaker , so take away Reid's position in the Senate with enough votes to over come a veto.
It's called "obfuscation". Republicans are so desperate to shield their incompetence and lack of any accomplishments from the voters that they are trying to find ANY pretext upon which to blame Obama. I used to respect Republicans even though I did not usually agree with their political positions. Now, not only do I disagree with their political posturing, I find them vile, evil and definitely un-American. A pox on ALL their houses.
New Poll: Americans overwhelming don't want to impeach Obama
(oh wait, it's the same poll)
So 65% are too ignorant to understand.
I need more handouts than Obama promised me!
You can't sue or impeach Obama........He is the president........He is above the Law!