McCain Tops BO as Commander-in-Chief;72% find him more presidential than Obama as CIC
Poll Finds 72 Percent of Americans Say McCain Would be Good Commander-in-Chief
ANALYSIS by GARY LANGER, abcnews.com, July 14, 2008
Americans rate John McCain much more highly on his abilities as commander-in-chief — key reasons the unpopular war isn't working more to Obama's advantage.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., holds an edge over Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., when it comes to the commander-in-chief test, finds a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
Despite broad, longstanding dissatisfaction with the war, less than 50 percent of Americans prefer Obama's plan to withdraw most U.S. forces within 16 months of taking office. Essentially as many, 49 percent, side with McCain's position — setting no timetable and letting events dictate when troops are withdrawn.
The war's been a top campaign issue, second only to the economy in public concern; Obama speaks on it Tuesday, after writing an op-ed on the subject in Monday's New York Times.
McCain supports the war and calls it essential in the U.S. campaign against terrorism; Obama differs.
One reason McCain can push back on Iraq is his advantage as commander-in-chief — a striking one, albeit perhaps not surprising given his military background. Seventy-two percent of Americans — even most Democrats — say he'd be a good commander-in-chief of the military.
By contrast, fewer than half say Obama would be a good commander-in-chief, a significant weakness on this measure. |
