Importantly for the president, despite the criticism he has received over Bergdahl and Americans' disapproval of his handling the situation, his overall job approval rating has held steady as the controversy has evolved. Republican congressional leaders have already called for hearings to look into the matter, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testified before a House Committee on Wednesday. The fact that Republicans take an opposing view on how to handle such a situation is one reason Bergdahl's release has not been universally hailed. Obama's ultimate choice in the matter was more in line with the view of his political base, given Democrats' belief that securing the safe release of Americans is more important than the potential risks involved in meeting terrorist demands. The president has emphasized the United States' desire to bring home all of its captive soldiers as a rationale for his decision.Īmericans' divided opinion on the proper course of action in these matters underscores the complexity of the situation. The Bergdahl situation has proved to be highly controversial and Obama continues to be questioned about his decision to exchange prisoners with the Taliban. Among those following the story very closely, 28% approve and 69% disapprove. Those following the news about Bergdahl's release "very closely" are much more likely to have an opinion of him, and it is overwhelmingly negative, with a 65% unfavorable and 15% favorable rating among this group.Īmericans' opinions about how President Barack Obama has handled the situation are also negative, with 38% approving and 50% disapproving. Thirty-seven percent of Americans say they have an unfavorable opinion of Bergdahl, while 13% have a favorable one. A majority of Americans, 51%, do not have an opinion of Bergdahl, however those who do are decidedly more negative than positive toward him. The Bergdahl release has been controversial not just because of the terms of his release, but also for the circumstances surrounding his capture, including allegations he was captured after deserting his post. Those who are not following the story closely see the safe release of prisoners as the more important objective.Īmericans Critical of Bergdahl, as Well as Obama's Handling of the Situation This relationship is partly because more Republicans (39%) than Democrats (27%) are following the story very closely. Thirty-one percent of Americans say they are following the news about the Bergdahl release "very closely," and an additional 34% say they are following it "somewhat closely." The combined 65% following the story closely is slightly higher than the 60% average Gallup has measured for more than 200 news events since 1991.Īmericans who are most engaged in the Bergdahl story - those following it "very closely" - come firmly down on the side of refusing to negotiate with terrorists. Republicans said discouraging future hostage taking was more important, by 48% to 40%.Īmericans' Attention to Bergdahl Case Above Historical Norms for News Stories Back then, Democrats saw the safe release of hostages as the higher priority, by 53% to 37%. In 1985, Republicans and Democrats did not show as much consensus in their views as they do now. should not negotiate with terrorist groups, whereas by nearly the same margin Democrats believe securing the safe release of U.S. Republicans by a better than two-to-one margin believe the U.S. At the time, Americans were also largely divided over the trade-offs inherent in negotiating with terror groups for hostage release.ĭemocrats and Republicans currently have clear views of which considerations are more important when Americans are held captive. Gallup asked a similar question in 1985 after terrorists in Lebanon took more than 30 Americans hostage during the hijacking of a TWA airliner. released five Taliban detainees it was holding at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. Although the Taliban is not a terrorist group per se, it has long harbored terrorists in Afghanistan, including 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. Bowe Bergdahl, whom they had held captive in Afghanistan for five years. The results are based on a June 5-8 poll conducted in the first few days after the Taliban released U.S. to secure the safe release of prisoners, even if that means compromising with terrorist demands, while 44% say it is more important to discourage future prisoner-taking by refusing to negotiate with terrorist groups, even if that means risking the lives of the U.S. Forty-three percent say it is more important for the U.S. PRINCETON, NJ - Americans are evenly divided on the advisability of negotiating with terrorist groups to secure the release of American prisoners.
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