Poll: 52 percent disapprove of Obama on Iraq

Most People disapprove of President Obama’s handling of situation in Iraq, according to two polls released Tuesday. 

A Washington Post-ABC News poll found 52 percent of people disapprove of the president’s handling of the situation there, where Sunni extremists have taken over large swaths of the country. Another 42 percent approve of his performance. 

{mosads}A New York Times-CBS polls also found 52 percent disapprove of Obama’s handling of Iraq, and only 37 percent approve.

Those numbers nearly mirror his overall approval rating, which has stayed in the low 40s for the last year. It is a sharp turnaround from late 2010 — a year before he announced all ground troops would leave the country. At the time, 49 percent approved of him, while 45 percent disapproved. 

Eighty-Four percent of Republicans and 54 percent of independents disapprove of Obama’s handling of the situation today, according to the Post poll. Seventy-three percent of Democrats approve.

Last week, the administration announced it was sending 300 military advisers to the country to help the Iraqi military deal with the Sunni extremist uprising. The United States has increased its surveillance and intelligence there, and Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to the region Monday. 

The president also said the United States is prepared for “targeted and precise” military action if necessary.

The public is split on whether airstrikes are a good idea. Forty-six percent are opposed to the idea, while 45 support it. Republicans are the only group in which a majority supports airstrikes, 58 percent. Forty-four percent of Democrats support them, while 41 percent of independents feel the same. 

The post poll surveyed 1,009 people from June 18-22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. The CBS poll surveyed 1,008 people from June 20-23 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.