A strong majority of citizens say they oppose any kind of U.S. intervention in Syria, according to an ABC News-Washington Post poll released on Tuesday.
The survey found that 59 percent are against a missile strike in Syria, with only 36 saying they support the kind of action that the Obama administration says will degrade Syrian military capabilities.
{mosads}Providing military aide to the opposition groups in Syria has even less support, with 70 percent saying they oppose arming the rebels, against only 27 percent who said they would support such an action.
Opposition to U.S. intervention in Syria crosses both parties, with 54 percent of Democrats opposing air strikes and 55 percent of Republicans saying the same. The strongest voice of opposition to a missile strike comes from those who identify as independents, with 66 percent saying they’re against a strike.
Similarly, only 30 percent of Democrats, 28 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of Independents say they support arming the rebels.
Support for an air strike would improve dramatically if the U.S. could get some allies on board. According to the poll, 46 percent would support a missile strike if the U.K., France, or other key U.S. allies participated in the bombing. However, 51 percent said they would still oppose an intervention even with international support.
Last week, the U.K. parliament voted down a measure to intervene in Syria. French President François Hollande has been a vocal critic of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, but will likely seek the blessing of lawmakers in his country before pledging French support.
It’s a critical week on Capitol Hill for the U.S.’s future in Syria, as the White House is running what it calls a “flood the zone” offensive to win over lawmakers to support the strike.
Some members of Congress met at the White House on Tuesday, and a flurry of lawmakers, including Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), emerged from meetings with the president to declare their support for a proposed military strike.