American Voters are Split About United States Defense Priorities
Jose Nino
|
According to a Rasmussen poll, 38% of likely American voters believe defending Ukraine from Russia is more important for United States interests. By contrast, 34% of likely voters believe defending Taiwan from China is more important. 29% are unsure.
The majority of Democrat voters believe the war in Ukraine should be America’s main defense priority, whereas Republicans and independents are more worried about China potentially invading Taiwan.
53% of Democrat voters indicated that defending Ukraine is more important. However, only 28% of Republican voters and 30% of independent voters share this view. 48% of Republican voters and 38% of independent voters believe defending Taiwan from China is more important for American interests. By contrast, only 18% of Democrats voters are in agreement here.
40% of all likely voters rate President Joe Biden as doing a good or excellent job when it comes to tackling national security issues, while 46% of likely voters rated Biden poorly on national security issues.
70% of Democrats voters rate Biden good or excellent for the way he has handled national security issues. However, only 18% of Republican voters and 31% of independent voters agree with that rating. 70% of Republican voters and 53% of independent voters gave Biden a poor rating on national security issues, in addition to 16% of Democrat voters.
36% of white voters, 44% of black voters, and 39% of other non-black minority voters believe defending Ukraine from Russia’s ongoing military operation is more important for America interests. 50% of white voters, 22% of black voters and 44% of non-black minorities rated Biden poorly on the way he has handled national security issues.
As far as income earners are concerned, 45% of voters earning over $200,000 annually gave Biden an excellent rating for the way he has handled national security issues. By contrast, 52% of voters making between $50,000 and $100,000 annually rated Biden poorly on national security issues.
Biden should receive poor marks for the way he has bungled national security policy. His regime is pursuing a bone-headed dual containment policy against both China and Russia — two nuclear powers. Unfortunately, many Republicans believe Biden’s regime is not confrontational enough against these two countries. This type of criticism is delusional and is indicative of the neoconservative mindset that is still prevalent in many Republican Party circles.
The America First answer to the foreign policy question is one of realism and restraint. The US needs a strong military to defend its border but it should not be looking for monsters abroad to destroy. Instead, it needs to focus on pursuing immigration and economic nationalism to guarantee that it doesn’t get subverted by hostile foreign actors while also maintaining an economic edge over its competitors.
Share: